While Denzel Washington is currently attending the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in support of upcoming Spike Lee joint Highest 2 Lowest, his heated red carpet exchange with a handsy photographer is what went viral, as he was seen giving the man a stern talking-to for grabbing the 70-year-old stage veteran‘s arm.
Washington’s body language indicates he wasn’t pleased with his personal space being violated, with lip reader Jackie “G” Gonzalez giving some insight into what was likely said via her social media pages.
CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 19: Denzel Washington attends the “Highest 2 Lowest” red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
“Hey, you’re the one that grabbed me, right? Let me tell you something, let me tell you something, stop! You ever put your hands on me again, and that’ll be [camera loses focus]. I’m warning you, you heard me, right? Ok.” Denzel then turns to walk away and is grabbed a second time.
“Stop. Stop. Stop. You got me? Stop.”
While Washington’s red carpet experience was less than stellar, he was soon awarded with a surprise Honorary Palme d’Or, the festival’s highest accolade, during the Highest 2 Lowest premiere Monday (May 19) night.
“This is a total surprise for me, so I’m a little emotional, but from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all,” said Washington during his speech. “To be here once again in Cannes — we’re a very privileged group in this room that we get to make movies and wear tuxedos and nice clothes and dress up and get paid for it as well.” He was also sure to recognize director Spike Lee as his “brother from another mother.”
Highest 2 Lowest, co-starring Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, A$AP Rocky, Ice Spice, and more, will be released in select theaters on Aug. 22. It will then stream exclusively on Apple TV+ beginning Sept. 5. Check out the teaser below.
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