Denzel Washington Calls Out Photographer For Grabbing Him At Cannes

Don’t mess with Denzel Washington. According to PEOPLE, the 70-year-old Oscar winner had a tense moment at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday when a red carpet photographer grabbed his arm in an attempt to get his attention.

Washington—who attended the festival to promote and celebrate the premiere of his upcoming film “Highest 2 Lowest,” was in the middle of speaking with the film’s award-winning director, Spike Lee, when the incident occurred, PEOPLE noted. As A$AP Rocky—Washington’s co-star in the upcoming crime thriller—walked toward him, the actor appeared to realize that a photographer had grabbed his arm to get his attention.

Washington turned to face the photographer, pointed a finger, and firmly told him to “Stop.” Though the photographer initially nodded in acknowledgment, he reached for Washington again once the actor turned away. Washington swiftly pulled his arm back and firmly repeated his warning, saying “Stop” several times, a video obtained by Worldstar Hip-Hop appeared to show. 

Thankfully, the intense exchange didn’t stop Washington from having a good time at the Cannes Film festival. Reps for “The Little Things” star told PEOPLE that he had “a great evening” overall.

Denzel was awarded the Honorary Palme d’Ore at the Cannes Film Festival.

Shortly after the tense exchange and just before the film’s premiere, the 70-year-old Hollywood veteran was surprised with an Honorary Palme d’Or—the Cannes Film Festival’s highest honor—given to people who have made an outstanding lifetime contribution to cinema. Lee, 68, joined Washington on stage to help present the award as the duo introduced their new film.

“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,” Washington said during his speech. “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,” the actor added. “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.”

DON’T MISS…

Denzel Washington Been Fine For Decades – Here’s The Proof

Denzel Washington: Michael B. Jordan Is ‘A Good Man, A Talented Man, Who I Love Like A Son’

Denzel Washington Has Tense Interaction With Photographer At Cannes Film Festival  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com