Denzel Washington was the willing recipient of a surprise Palme d’Or honor on Monday night, but he was less enamored with the attention he received from a photographer.
Walking the Le Palais red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday, Washington appeared to remonstrate with a snapper after he was touched on the arm while conversing with his Highest 2 Lowest director Spike Lee and co-star A$AP Rocky.
In France for the world premiere of Lee’s new film, Washington pointed his finger, spoke animatedly and clasped the arm of the photographer, who smiled his way through the exchange.
As he motioned to walk away, the actor seemed to be repeatedly saying “stop it,” per a video of the incident. This was supported by an analysis by an expert lip reader, according to MailOnline.
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Highest 2 Lowest is playing Out of Competition at Cannes and garnered a six-minute ovation at its world premiere. The Akira Kurosawa-inspired crime thriller also co-stars Jeffrey Wright and Ilfenesh Hadera.
From Apple and A24, the film reunites Lee and Washington for the first time since Inside Man back in 2006. The duo also worked together on Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X and He Got Game.
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Ahead of the Highest 2 Lowest premiere, Washington received a surprise honorary Palme d’Or. Festival chief Thierry Frémaux said: “Denzel, because you are here, we want to make something special for you … it’s a kind of way for us to tell you our adoration, what you have done in cinema. Nobody knows about that except Spike Lee, who wrote me to do that.”
Lee presented the Honorary Palme to Washington. Putting his arm around the actor, Lee said: “This is my brother right here. I love him, I love him. I’m glad you’re here where all the people love you too.”
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