Denzel Washington snaps at photographer in tense Cannes red carpet moment: ‘Stop it!’
CANNES, FRANCE: Denzel Washington reportedly got involved in a tense moment with a photographer at France’s Cannes Film Festival on Monday, May 19.
The 70-year-old actor was at the event to attend the world premiere of Spike Lee’s directorial ‘Highest 2 Lowest’, releasing in theaters on August 22, in which he also stars, as reported by The New York Post.
Denzel Washington and the epitome of FAFO
— Mambo Italiano (@mamboitaliano__) May 20, 2025
Cannes 2025 🎬pic.twitter.com/gZSzJHj5xW
Denzel Washington confronts cameraman for annoying him
Washington was speaking to Lee as well as his co-star A$AP Rocky when one of the photographers beyond the red carpet rope annoyed him, forcing him to move toward the papparazi.
Umukinnyi wa filime Denzel Washington wamamaye muri sinema muri Amerika, yagaragaye ashyamiranye n’umwe mu bafotozi mu birori bya Festival de Cannes, ubwo herekanwaga filime ye “Highest 2 Lowest” inagaragaramo ibyamamare birimo na A$AP Rocky.
— IGIHE (@IGIHE) May 20, 2025
✍️:@theosperfect… pic.twitter.com/vSCzJsxFqs
The Oscar winner then pointed his finger at the photographer while repeatedly yelling “stop”.
But the cameraperson seemed unfazed as he laughed at Washington’s face, leaving ‘The Equalizer’ star angrier.
He then turned around to move from there. However, the photographer went on to grab his hand as Washington yelled, “Stop it! Stop!”
Denzel Washington given honorary Palme d’Or honor at Cannes
The whole incident happened before the Golden Globe Awards winner was surprised with an honorary Palme d’Or honor before the premiere of the movie.
Festival chief Thierry Frémaux told the audience, “It’s a very special day. Denzel, because you are here, we want to make something special for you … it’s a kind of way for us to tell you our adoration, what you have done in cinema. Nobody knows about that except Spike Lee, who wrote to me to do that,” as per The Deadline.
Lee then gave the award to Washington as he said, “This is my brother right here. I love him, I love him. I’m glad you’re here where all the people love you too.”
Denzel Washington says he’s ‘blessed beyond measure’
After being honored, the ‘Man on Fire’ actor gave a speech.
He said, “This is a total surprise for me so I’m a little emotional, but from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all. It was a great opportunity to collaborate with my brother once again — brother from another mother, Spike.”
Further continuing, he mentioned, “To be here once again in Cannes, you know, we’re a very privileged group in this room that we get to make movies and wear tuxedos and nice clothes and dress up and get paid for it as well.”
“You know, we’re just blessed beyond measure, I’m blessed beyond measure, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all. Thank you,” Washington added.
