Denzel Washington Snaps at Photographer in Shocking Red Carpet Showdown at Cannes For “Highest 2 Lowest” Premiere – Caught on Camera
Denzel Washington found himself at the center of unexpected drama during the world premiere of “Highest 2 Lowest” at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on Monday, May 19. What was meant to be a night of celebration quickly turned into a tense moment when a red carpet encounter went too far.
Denzel Washington: A Heated Moment Caught On Camera
While chatting with longtime collaborator and director Spike Lee, the 70-year-old Oscar winner was interrupted when a photographer suddenly grabbed his arm in an aggressive attempt to get his attention. Just as Washington was registering the situation, his co-star A$AP Rocky was making his way toward him—adding to the swirl of activity around the actor.
Visibly thrown off, Washington turned to confront the photographer, pointing a finger at him and firmly warning, “Stop.” The photographer appeared to nod and back down, but the brief truce didn’t last.
Moments later, as Washington turned away, the same photographer reached out and grabbed him again. Washington immediately yanked his arm free and repeated his warning—this time more forcefully. “Stop,” he said again, making it clear that the invasion of personal space would not be tolerated.
Despite the disruption, Washington kept his cool, quickly regaining composure and continuing down the red carpet. His team later downplayed the incident, describing the night as a “great evening,” but for many onlookers, the tense exchange was a sharp reminder of the pressures and chaos behind the glamour of Cannes.
“Highest 2 Lowest”: Denzel Washington and Spike Lee Reunite
Later that evening, Washington was honored with a surprise Honorary Palme d’Or—an emotional highlight in contrast to the earlier tension. Presented by Spike Lee, the award celebrated Washington’s decades-long impact on cinema. In a heartfelt speech, he admitted, “This is a total surprise for me, so I’m a little emotional,” acknowledging the honor and the joy of storytelling.
The premiere of “Highest 2 Lowest”—a modern retelling of Kurosawa’s High and Low set in New York City—was met with critical acclaim. Washington plays a powerful music mogul entangled in a high-stakes kidnapping, navigating themes of power, morality, and sacrifice. The film received a five-minute standing ovation, with praise for both its narrative and Washington’s performance.
The film is set to hit theaters on August 22 and will stream on Apple TV+ starting September 5. With strong buzz and Washington’s commanding presence on screen, “Highest 2 Lowest” is already being tipped as one of the year’s must-see releases.
While the night began with an uncomfortable confrontation, it ended as a powerful reminder of Washington’s enduring presence in the film world. Whether standing his ground on the red carpet or captivating audiences on screen, Denzel Washington continues to define what it means to be a Hollywood icon.
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