Denzel Washington's appearance at the Cannes Film Festival took an unexpected turn when a red carpet moment escalated into a heated exchange with a photographer during the premiere of his latest film.
According to the US Sun, the 70-year-old actor engaged in a tense standoff after being touched by a photographer, leading to repeated warnings, physical rebuke, and his absence from a scheduled press event the next day.
The incident unfolded Monday evening as Washington walked the red carpet for the premiere of Highest 2 Lowest, a modern retelling of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 thriller High and Low. The film, directed by an unlisted collaborator, was added to the festival schedule following confirmation of the actor’s attendance.
According to visual analysis and eyewitnesses, Washington was first agitated when a photographer reached out and tapped his arm. The Oscar-winning actor swiftly turned and warned, “Stop it!”
Lip-reader Jeremy Freeman later confirmed to media outlet MailOnline that the physical contact was the catalyst for the encounter. The photographer reportedly laughed, then attempted to touch Washington’s arm again—prompting a sharp reaction.
The actor pushed the man’s hand away and voiced his frustration more clearly: “Stop it, stop it!” He then exited the scene, walking away from the photographer and continuing down the red carpet.
Freeman’s lip-reading provided further context to the exchange. According to him, Washington warned the photographer with: “Hey, one - more time, stop. Let me tell you - stop, stop - never put your hands on me again.”
The photographer, in response, appeared unfazed and said phrases such as “Not allowed” and “Yes, yes, yes,” before asking, “Can I take a picture?”
Washington responded with increasing emphasis, repeating “Stop, stop it, stop it. I mean it. Stop, stop it,” before leaving the photographer behind and continuing his entrance into the venue.
The aftermath of the confrontation was evident the following day when Washington did not appear at a scheduled news conference for the film. The move was seen as an indication that the night’s events had made a deeper impact.
Director Spike Lee alluded to Washington’s absence during the press panel, stating, “The last time I was in this room, I had to apologise for a f**k up, but I won't be apologising today for a f**k up.”
Although Lee did not directly mention the photographer dispute, his comment appeared to acknowledge the tension surrounding the incident without expanding further.
Despite the disruption, the festival honored Washington with an honorary Palme d’Or during the same premiere night. Longtime collaborator Spike Lee presented the award and warmly referred to Washington as “my brother.”
Washington appeared genuinely surprised and deeply moved by the award, exclaiming, “A total surprise for me!”
The tribute was met with applause by the audience and served as a moment of calm following the earlier confrontation.
This was not the first occasion in which Washington found himself in a public exchange over personal boundaries. In October 2024, he confronted autograph seekers outside an event in New York, telling one, “I said I’ll see you when I get out - which part of that don’t y’all understand?”
During that event, he emphasized the importance of respect in fan interactions. “I heard you. You talk about showing love… respecting me,” he told another person.
When a fan replied, “We already do,” Washington responded, “It’s about showing love… or not, or not! We can do it another way… or not, we can do it both ways!”
Washington’s involvement partly drew interest to The Highest 2 Lowest. Festival organizers added the film to the Cannes program after they secured his participation, as it was not initially listed.
A24 plans to release the film theatrically in the United States on August 22, and Apple TV+ will begin streaming it on September 5.
The film reimagines Kurosawa’s 1963 classic, bringing themes of justice and social inequality into a modern setting, making it one of the most anticipated premieres of the festival.
