Denzel Washington Receives Cannes Honor for Lee Film

Spike Lee's film 'Highest 2 Lowest,' a contemporary reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 'High and Low,' premiered out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival and received a six-minute standing ovation. The film marks the fifth collaboration between Lee and Denzel Washington, their first since 2006, with Washington playing a New York music mogul facing a moral crisis over a ransom plot. During the Cannes premiere, Denzel Washington was awarded an honorary Palme d’Or, joining an exclusive group as the 21st recipient. The cast includes Jeffrey Wright, A$AP Rocky in his first major film role, and Ilfenesh Hadera. The film's debut attracted major industry attention, highlighting the enduring influence of both Lee and Washington. Produced in partnership with Apple and A24, 'Highest 2 Lowest' further cemented its high profile at the festival.