Denzel washington skips cannes film festival event after snapping at red carpet photographer

Diva Denzel. Denzel Washington skipped the press conference for his new film, “Highest 2 Lowest,” at the Cannes Film Festival in France on Tuesday after arguing with a photographer on the

red carpet. The Oscar winner, 70, was absent from the promo event for the crime thriller that comes out on Apple TV+ in September. The movie’s director Spike Lee and star Jeffrey Wright were

both at the press conference. Lee, 68, seemed to reference Washington skipping the event, telling the room, “The last time I was in this room, I had to apologize for a f–k up, but I won’t

be apologizing today for a f–k up.” EXPLORE MORE Lee was referring to when he accidentally revealed the Palme d’Or winner, “Titane,” before the official announcement at Cannes in 2021. After

working with Washington on the films “Inside Man,” “Mo’ Better Blues,” “Malcolm X,” “He Got Game” and now “Highest 2 Lowest,” Lee said at the press conference that he doesn’t foresee the

pair collaborating ever again. “It’s been a blessing to have this body of work of us doing films that the people love. It’s a blessing, again. I don’t know if we’re going to do it again,”

Lee said. “I think this is it. Five [films]. He’s [Denzel] been talking about retirement, even though he just did another deal,” Lee added. On Monday, Washington lost his cool during an

intense disagreement with a photographer at the “Highest 2 Lowest” red carpet premiere. The “Gladiator II” star, according to expert lip reader Jeremy Freeman, lashed out at one of the

shutterbugs who touched his arm. “Hey, one — one more time, stop,” Washington told the photographer, according to Freeman. Washington allegedly continued to shout, “Let me tell you — stop,

stop — never put your hands on me again. I’m talking to you, stop, all right.” After the photographer grabbed Washington’s arm and asked him, “Can I take a picture?,” Washington responded,

“Stop, stop it, stop it. I mean it. Stop, stop it.” The photographer and his colleagues were all smiling throughout the heated exchange. The Post has reached out to Washington’s reps for

comment. Despite the confrontation, Washington was all smiles later that evening when he was surprised with an honorary Palme d’Or award, given to him by Lee. “This is a total surprise for

me so I’m a little emotional, but from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all,” Washington said after accepting the prize. “It was a great opportunity to collaborate with my brother once

again — brother from another mother, Spike.”