Denzel Washington explodes at photographer in heated exchange on Cannes red carpet
It seems he warned the man previously.
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Previous Page Next PageDenzel Washington snapped back at a pushy photographer as he attended the Cannes premiere of his movie Highest 2 Lowest on Monday.
The 70-year-old actor was filmed pointing emphatically at the person in question and shouting ‘Stop it!’
Footage of the incident seems to reveal that Denzel was displeased with the photographer for tapping him on the arm as he walked the red carpet with co-star A$AP Rocky, 36.
The man smiled glibly as Denzel made it clear that he would not accept the unwanted physical contact again.
Fans have been quick to defend Denzel as images of the red carpet spat have circulated online, with X user @ladidaix writing: ‘Idk what happened but I know Denzel is in the right ????????♀️????????♀️????????♀️’
@Project_BTL agreed: ‘The dude was touching him. I guarantee that’s why he was pissed, I would be too. Good man.’
Denzel Washington appeared to have a tense interaction with a photographer on the red carpet at Cannes (Picture: Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images) The exchange came after one of the photographers tapped him on the arm (Picture: Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images) He looked incredulous as he addressed the group of gathered professionals(Picture: Natacha Pisarenko/Invision/AP) Later in the interaction he appeared to exchange an object with a different photographer (Picture: Gisela Schober/Getty Images)
@willtygart commented: ‘I don’t get that stuff. These folks are around people all day, every day grabbing at them and asking them for stuff. Not a life I’d ever want, I see stuff like how Denzel reacted and I give him a total pass.’
@ThatMoviePage posted: ‘You can clearly see Denzel say “do not put your hands on me” and then the guy does it again. What a clown.’
@CinemaTweets1 wrote: ‘Not sure who this reporter at #CannesFilmFestival is that lost his mind & thinks it’s OK to put his hands on Denzel Washington, but clearly someone hasn’t seen The Equalizer. I said unhand my king!! Take two steps back! Do you have any idea who you’re f***ing with, sir? Back off!’
Despite the conflict, it was a memorable evening for Denzel as he was surprised with an honorary Palme d’Or award by director Spike Lee later in the night.
Cannes adjusted its schedule for Denzel to make the brief appearance, which came on his only weekly off-day while performing Othello in New York.
Denzel stars in the new Spike Lee film with rapper A$AP Rocky (Picture: SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)Spike said: ‘This is my brother, right here,’ as he presented the award to Denzel, who has had a long and sparkling career since breaking into show business more than 40 years ago.
‘This is a total surprise for me!’ the actor replied.
When the festival first announced its lineup last month, Highest 2 Lowest wasn’t listed, but Spike himself announced the film was heading to Cannes hours later.
Representatives for the festival said they had been waiting for confirmation that Denzel could attend the red carpet before confirming the film’s premiere slot.
Highest 2 Lowest, is a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film High and Low, and will be released in theatres by A24 August 22 before streaming on Apple TV+ September 5.
