Spike Lee’s ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Premieres at Cannes, Denzel Washington Honored

CANNES, France (AP) — Denzel Washington made a whirlwind trip to the Cannes Film Festival on Monday to premiere Spike Lee’s latest film, “Highest 2 Lowest,” and was unexpectedly awarded an honorary Palme d’Or.

The festival rearranged its schedule to accommodate Washington’s brief visit, which came during a break from his Broadway run in “Othello.” Cannes Film Festival chief Thierry Frémaux presented the surprise award to Washington ahead of the screening.

“This is my brother, right here,” Lee said as he handed the prize to Washington, who expressed his surprise and gratitude. “This is a total surprise for me,” Washington said.

“Highest 2 Lowest” is a reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic “High and Low.” The new film shifts the setting from Japan to modern-day New York City, maintaining the original’s themes of class and moral dilemmas. Washington stars as David King, a music producer whose life takes a turn when his godson is kidnapped by mistake.

In addition to Washington, the film features Ilfenesh Hadera as his philanthropic wife and Elijah Wright as his teen son, Trey, who is an aspiring basketball player. The plot thickens when they learn that the kidnapper mistakenly abducted Trey’s best friend, Kyle, instead of Trey.

The film blends action with a focus on the complexities of loyalty and sacrifice, as David grapples with whether to risk his fortune for someone outside his family. Lee injects contemporary issues, including police suspicion about the abduction’s potential ties to David’s driver, Paul, played by Jeffrey Wright.

Lee’s adaptation also highlights the vibrancy of New York City, with scenes featuring subway trains filled with baseball fans and musical motifs that resonate throughout the film. Critics have lauded Washington’s performance as well as Lee’s energetic direction, calling the film both smart and entertaining.

The Cannes premiere of “Highest 2 Lowest” was met with applause, and the film is set for theatrical release by A24 on August 22, followed by streaming availability on Apple TV+ starting September 5.