Denzel Washington Skips Cannes Film Festival Event After Confrontation With A Photographer On Red Carpet

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Baila Eve ZismanMay 20, 2025, 9:46 pmHomepage Slider, News >

Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington decided to skip the press conference for his new film after he had a curt exchange with a photographer at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday night.

Washington was present at the festival to promote Highest 2 Lowest, directed by Spike Lee.

An A24 remake of the 1963 film High and Low, Highest 2 Lowest is set to be released in theaters on Aug. 22, and be available to stream on Apple TV+ on Sept. 5.

Surprising footage from the red carpet that night has shown Washington pointing his finger in the face of one of the photographers, in the heat of a dramatic interaction.

Jeremy Freeman, an expert lip-reader, shared with The Daily Mail on Tuesday that Washington appeared to be upset that the photographer tapped him on the arm to get his attention. He estimated Washington’s words to be, “Let me tell you — stop, stop. Never put your hands on me again… I’m talking to you. Stop, alright.”

Interestingly, many of the photographers who surrounded Washington at the time were smiling, seemingly unaware of the extent of his upset.

On Tuesday morning, the cast of Highest 2 Lowest gathered for a press conference at the Palais des Festivals. Washington was notably missing.

However, Lee seemingly referenced Washington’s reaction in the press conference, saying, “The last time I was in this room, I had to apologize for a f— up, but I won’t be apologizing today for a f— up.”

While serving as Cannes jury president in 2021, Lee mistakenly revealed Titane to be the Palme d’Or winner prior to what was supposed to be the official announcement.

Lee and Washington previously worked together on Mo’ Better Blues (1990), Malcolm X (1992), He Got Game (1998) and Inside Man (2006). Lee noted that he did not anticipate working with Washington again in the future.

He reflected on their work together: “Denzel and I didn’t know that our previous film, Inside Man, was 18 years ago…We were surprised because it felt like yesterday. But we didn’t miss a step. It’s been a blessing to have this body of work of us doing films that the people love. It’s a blessing, again. I don’t know if we’re going to do it again.”

Lee mused, “I think this is it. Five [films]. He’s been talking about retirement, even though he just did another deal.”