Issues seemingly bought tense between Denzel Washington and a pushy photographer on the Cannes Movie Pageant pink carpet for Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest.” The actor headlines the film, his fifth collaboration with Lee, and appeared at Cannes for the primary time since 1993’s “A lot Ado About Nothing” introduced him to the competition.

Video from the carpet shared by the New York Put up sees the two-time Oscar winner pointing his finger at a photographer and shouting at him to “cease.” As Washington approaches, the photographer is seen making an attempt to snort off the confrontation and he places his palms across the actor’s arm. Washington pulls himself away and once more tells the photographer to cease. The photographers at Cannes are identified to be shouty as they vie for stars’ consideration.

Selection has reached out to Washington’s consultant for remark.

Washington’s evening rebounded as soon as the “Highest 2 Lowest” premiere started. The actor was awarded a shock Honorary Palme d’Or by Lee earlier than the screening began. Cannes competition director Thierry Fremaux additionally launched a montage of Washington’s movies — together with “Malcolm X” and “Mo Higher Blues,” each directed by Lee — in addition to his Oscar-winning performances in “Glory” and “Coaching Day.” 

“Highest 2 Lowest” bought a robust response in Cannes. The film earned a 5.5-minute standing ovation and was praised by Selection‘s critic Peter Debruge, who wrote in his evaluation: “It’s a movie whose sensational third act greater than justifies what might need appeared an pointless replace.”

Directed by Lee, “Highest 2 Lowest” is an English-language remake of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 movie “Excessive and Low.” Lee’s reimagining is about in modern-day New York and stars Washington as a music mogul tied up in a life-or-death ransom plot.

“Highest 2 Lowest” will likely be launched in theaters Aug. 22 and stream on Apple TV+ beginning Sept. 5.