CANNES, France (AP) — Denzel Washington sandwiched a whirlwind journey to the Cannes Movie Pageant, 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 Movie Pageant chief Thierry Frémaux shocked Washington with the award earlier than the Monday evening 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 competition often provides out one or two honorary Palme d’Ors every version — final 12 months, the awardees had been Studio Ghibli and George Lucas. Final week, Robert de Niro obtained one on the competition’s opening evening. De Niro’s award was introduced upfront, however shock prizes aren’t unparalleled: In 2022, Tom Cruise was introduced with a shock honorary Palme d’Or simply earlier than the screening of “Top Gun: Maverick.”
Whereas the competition’s photograph calls often occur the day after a movie’s premiere, Cannes hosted one for “Highest 2 Lowest” earlier Monday so Washington might attend. The actor, playfully posing with Lee and co-star A$AP Rocky, confirmed no indicators of jet leg 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 to make the journey had been a sticking level for Cannes. When the competition first introduced its lineup final month, “Highest 2 Lowest” wasn’t included. Inside hours, nonetheless, Lee himself introduced the movie was heading to Cannes. Representatives for the competition 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 probably be launched in theaters by A24 on Aug. 22 earlier than streaming on Apple TV+ on Sept. 5.
