Movies

Denzel Washington’s Cannes surprises: honorary Palme d’Or plus one handsy shutterbug

BBG News

This week, Denzel Washington swapped New York’s Broadway for the glamorous French Riviera to grace the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. There, he was due to receive a lifetime achievement award and face the anticipation of a keen shutterbug.

On Monday, the two-time Academy Award winner, who is currently acting in “Othello” in New York, made a comeback at the glamorous film festival on the Croisette for the debut of “Highest 2 Lowest,” his latest venture with his long-term friend and “Malcolm X” associate, Spike Lee. Yet, prior to Spike Lee’s adaptation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime thriller “High and Low” being screened, some disagreements surfaced on the red carpet.

70-year-old Washington reprimanded a persistent red carpet photographer who repeatedly nudged his arm, trying to draw the actor’s attention. In various videos capturing the altercation, Washington is shown turning away from his co-stars A$AP Rocky and Lee, instead focusing on a spectacled photographer. The “Training Day” star is seen admonishing the photographer by pointing his finger at him sternly.

As Washington walks back to his “Top to Bottom” squad, the photographer once more seizes the celebrity by the arm, causing him to shoo it off. It appears as though Washington is saying, “Enough, enough.

While the confrontation went viral, it did not seem to dull Washington’s Cannes return.

Shortly following a dramatic conversation, Washington was inducted into an elite group: He earned the title of the 23rd recipient of an honorary Palm d’Or. This unexpected recognition, given for his extensive career, came from Lee and festival director Thierry Frémaux. Luminaries such as Woody Allen, Jane Fonda, Agnès Varda, Forest Whitaker, Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, Meryl Streep, and Robert De Niro are among the previous recipients of this honorary Palm d’Or; De Niro received it just last week.

Lee pointed to a person and stated, ‘That’s my brother,’ before giving him the award. He expressed his affection by saying, ‘He’s dear to me, indeed he is.’

As a cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but share my excitement over an unexpected moment at Cannes. The legendary Denzel Washington, after receiving a standing ovation, expressed that this award came as a “complete shock” for him. You see, it was back in 1993 when he last graced the Cannes stage for “Much Ado About Nothing.” In his heartfelt words, he emphasized the extraordinary privilege we artists have in creating movies, being part of such prestigious events, and getting compensated for our passion – a truly remarkable opportunity indeed!

Movies

Along the famous Croisette, the highly anticipated film ‘Eddington’ by director Ari Aster, featuring stars like Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, as well as an impressive first-time directorial effort from ‘Babygirl’s’ Harris Dickinson, has caught everyone’s eye.

He expressed his profound gratitude, saying, ‘We’ve been incredibly fortunate. I’ve been incredibly fortunate,’ he added. From the depths of my heart, I appreciate each and every one of you.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Washington told The Times that despite having limited time due to ‘Othello’ performances on Broadway, it was still an enjoyable evening at the Cannes Film Festival.

The movie titled “Highest 2 Lowest” is set to release on August 22, and it showcases a Tony Award winner in the role of a prosperous music tycoon. This character grapples with an ethical dilemma when he gets caught up in a perilous ransom scheme that threatens his life. Besides him, Jeffrey Wright and Ilfenesh Hadera are part of the star-studded cast.

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2025-05-21 00:01

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