At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Denzel Washington had a heated confrontation with a photographer during the red carpet event for his film Highest 2 Lowest. The Oscar-winning actor was seen shouting at a photographer after being tapped on the arm, prompting a dramatic exchange caught on camera.
According to DailyMail.com, lip reader Jeremy Freeman decoded the incident, revealing that Denzel yelled, “Never put your hands on me again,” before insisting the photographer “stop, stop it” and “I mean it.”
Despite the intensity of the confrontation, the photographer responded by laughing and attempting to continue taking pictures. This moment added to Washington’s long history of tense interactions with photographers. Previously, he has been seen scolding autograph hunters and addressing fans in confrontational moments.
The photographer’s lack of awareness of Washington’s frustration highlighted a common issue that celebrities face when personal boundaries are disrespected. This encounter, while intense, was quickly followed by a surprising moment for Washington when he was honored with an honorary Palme d’Or by director Spike Lee. The award ceremony marked a positive turn after the heated exchange.
Washington was in Cannes for the premiere of Highest 2 Lowest, a film based on Akira Kurosawa’s classic High and Low. The film, set to be released in theaters in August 2025 and on Apple TV+ in September, wasn’t initially included in the Cannes lineup. However, following confirmation of Washington’s attendance, the film was added to the festival’s schedule.
This wasn’t the first time the actor had expressed frustration in public. Just seven months earlier, Washington was filmed confronting autograph hunters in New York, where he emphasized the importance of respect when interacting with him.
According to Freeman, the lip reader who interpreted the Cannes confrontation, Denzel was clear in his message to the photographer: “Let me tell you — stop, stop — never put your hands on me again.”
Washington’s tense moments with photographers and fans reveal the pressures of being a public figure while trying to maintain personal boundaries. However, despite these incidents, the actor continues to maintain his star power and presence at prestigious events like Cannes.
Article updated 3 weeks ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
