Denzel Washington and Spike Lee's latest collaboration,Highest 2 Lowest,made its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival At the Monday, May 19 event, a photographer aggressively grabbed the actor to get his attention for a photo Washington confronted the photographer for his behavior and repeatedly asked him to "Stop" Denzel Washingtonwas spotted in a heated exchange at the world premiere ofHighest 2 Lowestat the 2025Cannes Film Festivalon Monday, May 19. The Oscar winner, 70, was speaking with the film's director,Spike Lee, when a photographer on the red carpet grabbed Washington's arm in an attempt to get his attention. Washington's costar,A$AP Rocky, was approaching him as Washington simultaneously registered that the photographer was grabbing him. Washington then turned to the smiling photographer and pointed his finger at him as he gave him a stern warning to stop. The photographer seemingly nodded in agreement, but then, when Washington turned away, he grabbed the actor again. Washington quickly jerked his arm out of the photographer's grasp and reiterated himself once more, repeatedly saying, "Stop." Despite this heated exchange, Washington's representative tells PEOPLE, "It was a great evening." by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images Shortly after the interaction and just before the film premiered inside the theater, Washington received a surprise Honorary Palme d'Or, the festival's highest honor. Lee, 68, helped present the two-timeAcademy Award-winning actor with the honor as the pair presented their new movie out of competition. "This is a total surprise for me, so I'm a little emotional, but from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all. It was a great opportunity to collaborate with my brother once again — brother from another mother, Spike," Washington said during his speech. "To be here once again in Cannes, you know, 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," Washington added, to some laughter in the room. "You know, we're just blessed beyond measure, I'm blessed beyond measure, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all. Thank you." Highest 2 Lowestis Washington and Lee's fifth collaboration and their first since 2006's heist thrillerInside Man.Their latest feature is a "reinterpretation" of the famed Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa's 1963 crime thrillerHigh and Low. But the 2025 adaptation is "played out on the mean streets of modern-day New York City," according to a synopsis for the film. Atrailer for the movieshowed Washington's character delivering a monologue about the highest highs and the lowest lows associated with success, along with moments showcasing performances fromJeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera and A$AP Rocky, 36. Earl Gibson III/Deadline via Getty Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Highest 2 Lowestis in select theaters Aug. 22 and releases on Apple TV+ Sept. 5. Read the original article onPeople
