Denzel Washington gets into heated exchange with Cannes photographer

Denzel Washington’s eventful trip to the Cannes Film Festival had its highs and lows, including a tense confrontation with a red carpet photographer.

The Oscar winner was celebrating the premiere of his new film, Highest 2 Lowest, with director Spike Lee and costar A$AP Rocky when a photographer caught his attention for all the wrong reasons. 

Video of the incident shows Washington smiling as Rocky approaches, when a photographer suddenly reaches over, grabbing his arm to get his attention. Unhappy with the tactic, Washington quickly voices his displeasure, pointing a finger at the culprit and appearing to reprimand him for the behavior. When Washington turns away, the photographer repeats the gesture, looping his arm around the actors.

“Stop it! Stop it, stop it,” Washington repeats firmly, pulling his arm back and walking away.

When reached for comment, a representative for Washington told Entertainment Weekly that “it was a great evening at the Cannes Film Festival,” and declined to comment further.

Despite that low point, Washington’s night took a turn for the better once the Highest 2 Lowest premiere began. The actor was awarded a surprise Honorary Palme d’Or, presented by Lee before the screening started, according to the Associated Press. 

Cannes festival director Thierry Fremaux also introduced a montage of Washington’s films — including his previous collaborations with Lee, Malcolm X, and Mo Better Blues, as well as his Oscar-winning performances in Glory and Training Day.

“This is my brother, right here,” Lee said while presenting Washington with the award.

“This is a total surprise for me,” replied the actor.

Washington left the event shortly after the screening began, having flown to France for the festival on his sole day off, portraying the titular role in Broadway’s latest production of Othello.

“He told me to tell you: ‘thank you for the love,'” Lee told the crowd after the film. “He’s on Broadway doing Othello, so it really took a lot for him to fly here. Let’s give it up for Denzel Washington, please.”

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Washington’s presence at Cannes was apparently a sticking point for organizers. Highest 2 Lowest was not included when the festival first announced its lineup, only for Lee to share the news hours later. Festival representatives said they had been waiting for confirmation that Washington would attend to walk the red carpet to announce the title.