Overview

• Spike Lee and Denzel Washington debuted their fifth collaboration, 'Highest 2 Lowest,' at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, marking Washington’s first Cannes appearance in over 30 years.
• Washington was surprised with an honorary Palme d’Or, recognizing his career achievements and long-standing partnership with Lee.
• The film, a modern reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s 'High and Low,' received a strong reception, including a six-minute standing ovation.
• A tense exchange occurred on the red carpet when a photographer grabbed Washington’s arm, prompting the actor to confront him and repeatedly ask him to stop.
• Washington later skipped the scheduled press conference for the film, with Spike Lee addressing his absence humorously during the event.