Denzel Washington receives surprise honorary Palme d'Or at Cannes premiere of 'Highest 2 Lowest'

Published on 20/05/2025 - 10:52 GMT+2

Legendary American character Denzel Washington managed to sandwich a whirlwind travel to nan Cannes Film Festival for nan premiere of Spike Lee's latest associated Highest 2 Lowest connected Monday. And it was a wise determination to return nan time, arsenic he was rewarded pinch a surprise: an honorary Palme d'Or.

Cannes accommodated Washington's speedy France trip, which came connected his lone off-day while performing “Othello” successful New York, pinch Cannes Film Festival main Thierry Frémaux astonishing Washington pinch nan grant earlier nan Monday nighttime premiere.

“This is my brother, correct here,” said Spike Lee, who passed nan grant to Washington, who was connected nan Croisette for nan first time.

“He's connected Broadway doing ‘Othello,’ truthful it really took a batch for him to alert here. Let's springiness it up for Denzel Washington, please.”

“This is simply a full astonishment for me,” said Washington. 

The show usually gives retired 1 aliases 2 honorary Palmes each edition. Last year, nan awardees were Studio Ghibli and George Lucas.

Last week, Robert De Niro received his honorary Palmeon nan festival's opening night. De Niro's grant was announced successful advance, but astonishment prizes aren't unheard of. In 2022, Tom Cruise was presented pinch a astonishment honorary Palme d’Or conscionable earlier nan screening of Top Gun: Maverick.

Highest 2 Lowest is simply a remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 movie High and Low and stars Dnezel Washington, IIfenesh Hadera, Jeffrey Wright and A$AP Rocky. The neo-noir crime thriller is distributed by A24 and hits theaters connected 22 August earlier streaming connected Apple TV+ connected 5 September.