Denzel Washington sandwiched a whirlwind journey to the Cannes Film Festival, in between Broadway performances, for the premiere of Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest” on Monday — and was rewarded with a shock: an honorary Palme d’Or.
Cannes had flipped round a few of its scheduling to accommodate Washington’s speedy France journey, which got here on his lone off-day whereas performing “Othello” in New York. Cannes Film Festival chief Thierry Frémaux shocked Washington with the award earlier than the Monday night time premiere.
“This is my brother, right here,” stated the movie’s director, Spike Lee, who handed the award to Washington.
“This is a total surprise for me,” stated Washington.
The pageant often offers out one or two honorary Palmes every version — final 12 months, the awardees have been Studio Ghibli and George Lucas. Last week, Robert De Niro acquired one on the pageant’s opening night time. De Niro’s award was introduced prematurely, however shock prizes aren’t remarkable: In 2022, Tom Cruise was introduced with a shock honorary Palme d’Or simply earlier than the screening of “Top Gun: Maverick.”
The premiere additionally had one other shock: Rihanna attended and walked the carpet after the premiere with associate A$AP Rocky. Earlier this month, she revealed on the Met Gala that she was pregnant with their third youngster.
While the pageant’s photograph calls often occur the day after a movie’s premiere, Cannes hosted one for “Highest 2 Lowest” earlier Monday so Washington may attend. The actor, playfully posing with Lee and co-star A$AP Rocky, confirmed no indicators of jet lag and was anticipated to fly again to New York instantly after the screening.
Lee additionally got here to Cannes with obligations again in New York on his thoughts. He arrived on the movie’s premiere decked out in Knicks colours and carrying a blue and orange striped swimsuit.
That Washington would be capable of make the journey had been a sticking level for Cannes. When the pageant first introduced its lineup final month, “Highest 2 Lowest” wasn’t included. Within hours, nonetheless, Lee himself introduced the movie was heading to Cannes. Representatives for the pageant stated they’d been ready for affirmation that Washington would attend to stroll the pink carpet.
“Highest 2 Lowest,” a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 movie “High and Low,” will likely be launched in theaters by A24 on Aug. 22 earlier than streaming on Apple TV+ on Sept. 5.
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