“Stop it.” That’s apparently what Denzel Washington told a photographer who got a little too handsy on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in France.
The viral exchange unfolded on May 19, at the world premiere of Washington and Spike Lee’s latest big screen collaboration, Highest 2 Lowest.
Video from the premiere showed Washington walking the carpet with Lee and rapper A$AP Rocky, who also has a role in the film.
According to reporting by the New York Post, Washington turned to walk away from the line of photographers when one man became aggressive and grabbed the Oscar-winning actor’s arm.
Related: Denzel Washington, A$AP Rocky Team Up for Spike Lee’s ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Teaser
Washington, 70, responded by “pulling his arm from the cameraman’s grasp,” the Post reported. The Hollywood legend was then shown pointing a finger at the man.
“Stop it.” Washington reportedly said. “Stop!”
The outlet contacted Washington’s reps for comment, but did not hear back. So far, the photographer and his outlet have not been identified.
Washington had a busy day. The actor was recognized with a surprise honorary Palme d’Or for career achievement before the film screened.
According to the Associated Press, festival director Thierry Fremaux adjusted the festival’s schedule to honor Washington, who was only in France for a brief time. Spike Lee presented the award and said, “This is my brother.”
“This is a total surprise for me,” Washington responded.
As soon as the lights were dimmed for the screening, Washington left, according to the AP. He returned to New York for work.
“He told me to tell you: Thank you for the love,” Lee told the audience after the screening. “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.”
Lee wore a blue and orange suit and excitedly yelled, “New York Knicks!”
The rest of the cast of Highest 2 Lowest was also in Cannes, including Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, and Wendell Pierce.
The film centers on a music mogul who is targeted in a ransom plot and faces a life-or-death moral dilemma.
The drama is inspired by Japanese director Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime thriller High and Low. Kurosawa’s version followed a shoe company executive at the center of an extortion plot.
Highest 2 Lowest arrives in theaters on Aug. 22 and begins streaming Sept. 5 on Apple TV+.
Spike Lee, Denzel Washington and the full cast of “Highest 2 Lowest” at the film’s #Cannes world premiere. pic.twitter.com/YyXXz6ueCI
— Variety (@Variety) May 19, 2025
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