CANNES, France — Denzel Washington has no shortage of accolades under his belt, and after a speedy appearance at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday, he added another high honor to his list of accomplishments after receiving the honorary Palme d’Or.
Washington has been busy performing “Othello” on stage in New York, and Monday was reportedly the only day he had off. Cannes also hosted the photo call for “Highest 2 Lowest” earlier than usual on Monday to help Washington attend, per the Associated Press.
Cannes Film Festival chief Thierry Frémaux surprised Washington with the honor before the premiere of Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest,” a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film “High and Low,” which is expected to be released in theaters Aug. 22.
Lee, who has collaborated with Washington in the past, including the 1992 film Malcolm X, also handed the award to his “brother” Washington at Monday’s festival.
“This is a total surprise for me,” said Washington at the festival, adding that he was also a “little emotional” upon receiving the honor.
Cannes usually gives out one or two honorary Palmes. This year, Washington joins Robert De Niro as a recipient — who blasted “philistine” President Donald Trump during his acceptance speech last week. Receiving a surprise Palme d’Or is not common for the festival with Tom Cruise being the most recent recipient of a surprise Palme d’Or in 2022.
More on the honorary Palme d’Or Denzel Washington received at the Cannes Film Festival.
