Red Carpet Clash Dampens Denzel Washington’s Award At Cannes

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Before receiving a surprise honorary award at the Cannes film festival on Monday, Hollywood star Denzel Washington had a heated exchange with a photographer.

For the first time since filming “Highest 2 Lowest” with New York director Spike Lee, Washington, 70, was at the festival.

Prior to the screening, A $AP Rocky and his partner Rihanna were among the VIPs who gave the actor an honorary Palme d’Or.

It’s a total surprise, the author says. I’m so moved, according to an audience member, according to AFP.

Prior to the screening of the movie “Highest 2 Lowest” at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 19, 2025, US actor Denzel Washington is presented with the Honorary Palme d’Or. (Photo by Valery HACHE/AFP)

The veteran actor had earlier a testy encounter with a photographer on the red carpet.

As the actor posed in front of a line of cameras, the photographer appeared to grab him by the arm. According to videos, Washington shook him before turning his finger at him and starting to appear to say “Stop it” several times.

However, Washington’s mood was undoubtedly improved by the positive reviews of his and Lee’s film despite the awkward incident.

Prior to the screening of the movie “Highest 2 Lowest” at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 19, 2025, US actor Denzel Washington receives the Honorary Palme d’Or from US director and executive producer Spike Lee in front of German president of the Cannes film festival Iris Knobloch. (Photo by Valery HACHE/POOL/AFP)

The Hollywood Reporter praised the film’s “wit, high style, and kinetic energy to burn,” according to the Hollywood Reporter, loosely adapted from the 1963 classic by Japanese master Akira Kurosawa.

Washington was praised for his “magnificent form” in the film, saying he delivered “grinning monarchical assurance” as a music mogul.

In “Highest 2 Lowest,” A $AP Rocky stars alongside Washington, extending a Mary Bronstein acting career that included Mary Bronstein’s “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” which premiered at the Berlin film festival in February.

Festival director Thierry Fremaux screened a montage of Washington’s memorable performances, including those of Lee’s “Malcolm X” and “Mo ‘Better Blues,” before handing the prize to Washington.

Additionally, clips from “Glory,” which won him an Oscar for best supporting actor in 1989, and “Training Day,” which he also received the award for best actor, respectively, were shown.

(From L) ASAP Rocky, Rihanna, Tonya Lewis Lee, and Spike Lee, a US director and executive producer, leave on May 19, 2025 after the screening of the movie “Highest 2 Lowest” at Cannes, southern France’s 78th edition. (Photo by Miguel Medina/AFP)

On May 19, 2025, the film “Highest 2 Lowest” was screened at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, with US producer Tonya Lewis Lee and director and executive producer Spike Lee leaving. Sameer AL-DOUMY/AFP photo

Rihanna and Asap Rocky, both from Barbados, leave on May 19, 2025 after the film “Highest 2 Lowest” is shown at Cannes, southern France’s 78th edition. (Seaner Al-Doumy/AFP)

Spike Lee wearing an orange pinstriped suit, round glasses, and an orange-and-blue hat, and A $AP Rocky displaying a gold dental piece, put on a show on the Cannes red carpet.