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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Movies and TV devider Denzel Washington receives surprise honorary Palme d'Or at Cannes premiere for 'Highest 2 Lowest'

Denzel Washington receives surprise honorary Palme d'Or at Cannes premiere for 'Highest 2 Lowest'

Published May 20, 2025 07:51 am
Denzel Washington attends the premiere of 'Highest 2 Lowest' at the Cannes Film Festival (AP) 

CANNES, France (AP) — Denzel Washington sandwiched a whirlwind trip to the Cannes Film Festival, in between Broadway performances, for the premiere of Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest” on Monday — and was rewarded with a surprise: an honorary Palme d’Or. 

Cannes had flipped around some of its scheduling to accommodate Washington’s speedy France trip, which came on his lone off-day while performing “Othello” in New York. Cannes Film Festival chief Thierry Frémaux surprised Washington with the award before the Monday night premiere.

“This is my brother, right here,” said the film’s director, Spike Lee, who passed the award to Washington. "This is a total surprise for me," said Washington.


The festival usually gives out one or two honorary Palmes each edition — last year, the awardees were Studio Ghibli and George Lucas.
Last week, Robert De Niro received one on the festival’s opening night. De Niro’s award was announced in advance. Still, surprise prizes aren’t unheard of: In 2022, Tom Cruise was presented with a surprise honorary Palme d'Or just before the screening of "Top Gun: Maverick."
The premiere also had another surprise: Rihanna attended and walked the carpet afterward with partner A$AP Rocky.
Earlier this month, she revealed at the Met Gala that she was pregnant with their third child.
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