Denzel Washington lashes out at photographer in explosive  Cannes Film Festival exchange

Denzel Washington lashed out an over-zealous photographer as he attended the Cannes premiere of his movie Highest 2 Lowest on Monday.

The renowned actor, aged 70, was recorded pointing his finger directly at one of the photographers and yelling ‘Stop it!’ in a tense moment that was caught on camera.

The exchange began when Washington appeared to tell off the photographer who smiled, laughed and grabbed the Training Day star’s arm.

An irate Washington then flung the photographer’s hand away and shouted ‘Stop it, stop it stop it!’ before walking off. 

DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Washington for comment. 

Washington was all smiles elsewhere on the day when he was surprised with an honorary Palme d’Or award.

Denzel Washington lashed out an over-zealous photographer as he attended the Cannes premiere of his movie Highest 2 Lowest on Monday

Denzel Washington lashed out an over-zealous photographer as he attended the Cannes premiere of his movie Highest 2 Lowest on Monday

The iconic actor, 70, was filmed pointing his finger in the face of one of the snappers and shouting 'Stop it!' during the dramatic exchange which was captured on video

The celebrated actor, who is 70 years old, was captured on video pointing his finger at a photographer and shouting ‘Stop it!’ during a dramatic incident.

The distinguished actor was in attendance at the premiere of his latest movie, Highest 2 Lowest, during the ceremony where director Spike Lee honored him with an award.

Cannes changed some of its scheduling to accommodate Denzel’s trip, which came amid his lone off-day while performing Othello in New York. 

Handing the award over to Denzel, Spike said: ‘This is my brother, right here.’

‘This is a total surprise for me!’ the actor replied. 

The festival usually gives out one or two honorary Palmes each edition with Robert De Niro receiving one on the festival’s opening night.

The actor, who posed for photos with Spike and co-star A$AP Rocky, showed no signs of jet lag and was expected to fly back to New York immediately after the screening.

When the festival first announced its lineup last month, Highest 2 Lowest wasn’t included. 

The exchange began when Washington appeared to tell off the photographer who smiled, laughed and grabbed the Training Day star's arm

The exchange began when Washington appeared to tell off the photographer who smiled, laughed and grabbed the Training Day star’s arm

An irate Washington then flung the photographer's hand away and shouted 'Stop it, stop it stop it!' before walking off

An irate Washington then flung the photographer’s hand away and shouted ‘Stop it, stop it stop it!’ before walking off

The star faced a wall of photographers but was left furious

The star faced a wall of photographers but was left furious 

But within hours, however, Spike himself announced the film was heading to Cannes and representatives for the festival said they had been waiting for confirmation that Denzel would attend the red carpet.

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.

Back in October 2024 Washington was filmed exploding at autograph hunters  in New York City.

The Oscar-winning actor snapped at fans as he arrived at the Museum of Modern Art for a film benefit honoring Samuel L. Jackson – with the tense exchange captured in a dramatic video.

The Training Day star was seen arriving at the museum and posing with a fan – while autograph hunters called his name to the side.

A visibly annoyed Washington went to walk inside but then turned and addressed a fan in the crowd. 

While the entire exchange cannot be deciphered, the actor was seen pointing his finger and heard saying: ‘I heard you. You talk about showing love…’

‘…Respecting me’ to which the fan said ‘we already do.’ 

Washington retorted: ‘I said I’ll see you when I get out, which part of that don’t y’all understand?

‘It’s about showing love’ – before raising his voice and declaring ‘or not, or not! we can do it another way… or not, we can do it both ways!’

He then walked inside the building after the shock incident. 

You May Also Like
Alex Murdaugh's son Buster's 'bitter' life in isolation and the source of fury at his father that has nothing to do with the murders

The isolated and resentful life of Alex Murdaugh’s son, Buster, is not related to the murders but stems from another source of anger towards his father.

Alex Murdaugh’s only surviving son, Buster Murdaugh, continues to grapple with bitterness…
Pacers ride deafening Indiana crowd as Tyrese Haliburton inspires crucial NBA Finals Game 3 win over Oklahoma City

Indiana Pacers Win Game 3 Against Oklahoma City Thunder with Tyrese Haliburton’s Stellar Performance in Front of Energetic Home Crowd

Just before Game 3 of the NBA Finals tipped off on Wednesday night,…
Who Plays Zero In ‘Stick’ On Apple TV+? Meet Lilli Kay

Get to Know Lilli Kay, the Actress Who Portrays Zero in ‘Stick’ on Apple TV+

“Who is that incredible actor playing Zero in Stick?” If this is…
Brian Wilson, Beach Boys visionary leader and summer's poet laureate, dies at 82

Passing of Brian Wilson, Leader of The Beach Boys and Poet of Summer at Age 82

At the age of 82, Brian Wilson, the innovative and vulnerable frontman…
Rattlesnake bites teen on southern state fishing trip

A snake bit a teenager during a fishing trip in the southern state.

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The authorities carried out…
Trolls target 'Ivanka Antoinette' for failing to condemn ICE raids - as her celeb pals attack Trump

Critics criticize ‘Ivanka Antoinette’ for not speaking out against ICE raids – as her celebrity friends criticize Trump

Ivanka Trump is under intense scrutiny for sharing photos of herself surfing…
4 projects, including Cottage Grove Collective's, vying for 'Chicago Prize' from Pritzker Traubert Foundation: $10M over 5 years

Competing for ‘Chicago Prize’: 4 Projects, including Cottage Grove Collective, to Receive $10M Over 5 Years from Pritzker Traubert Foundation

CHICAGO (WLS) — Four projects aim to bring business and investment into…
Protest curfews spread to Washington as LA moves to arrest 'bad actors' and unrest continues in NYC and Chicago

Spread of curfew protests to Washington, LA cracks down on ‘bad actors’ with arrests, unrest continues in NYC and Chicago

Widespread protests against ICE have surged nationwide with Los Angeles taking action…
British couple feared to have been on doomed Air India flight: Celebrity wellness guru Jamie Meek and his husband posted 'Goodbye India' video as they prepared to board plane

Celebrity wellness expert Jamie Meek and spouse suspected to be on ill-fated Air India flight: The British pair shared a video titled ‘Farewell India’ before getting on the plane

British celebrity wellness guru Jamie Meek and his husband posted a haunting…
Japan implements strict border control measures targeting foreign tourists who skip out on hospital payments

Japan enforces tough border rules for foreign visitors avoiding hospital bills

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The Japanese government recently…
Federal agents capture alien accused of rape, assault while LA politicians condemn ICE operations

Federal Agents Detain Extraterrestrial Suspect for Crimes of rape and assault as LA Politicians criticize ICE actions

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! In the midst of…
Trump's brutal message to actors who boycotted his Kennedy Center appearance as president and Melania attend Les Miserables

Trump sends a harsh message to actors who skipped his Kennedy Center visit, while he and Melania attend Les Miserables

President Donald Trump arrived at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday evening, accompanied…