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Denzel Washington snapped back at a pushy photographer as he attended the Cannes premiere of his movie Highest 2 Lowest on Monday.
The 70-year-old actor was filmed pointing emphatically at the person in question and shouting ‘Stop it!’
Footage of the incident seems to reveal that Denzel was displeased with the photographer for tapping him on the arm as he walked the red carpet with co-star A$AP Rocky, 36.
The man smiled glibly as Denzel made it clear that he would not accept the unwanted physical contact again.
Fans have been quick to defend Denzel as images of the red carpet spat have circulated online, with X user @ladidaix writing: ‘Idk what happened but I know Denzel is in the right 🤷🏾♀️🤷🏾♀️🤷🏾♀️’
@Project_BTL agreed: ‘The dude was touching him. I guarantee that’s why he was pissed, I would be too. Good man.’
(Picture: Natacha Pisarenko/Invision/AP)
@willtygart commented: ‘I don’t get that stuff. These folks are around people all day, every day grabbing at them and asking them for stuff. Not a life I’d ever want, I see stuff like how Denzel reacted and I give him a total pass.’
@ThatMoviePage posted: ‘You can clearly see Denzel say “do not put your hands on me” and then the guy does it again. What a clown.’
Body language expert Judi James tells Metro:
‘When press photographers goad stars they’re probably better ignored but Denzel decided to engage, and the result is the beaming smile of excitement and delight on the photographer’s face as he triggers one of the most dramatic body language moments of the event.
‘Denzel’s own body language makes him look as though he’s just stepped out of one of his movies. His problem seems to come (understandably) when the other guy touches him on the arm as he’s chatting to a fellow celebrity. Touch is a very powerful form of communication and unwanted touch by a stranger is red flag behavior. Denzel goes over to scold the man, using a stabbing index finger to emphasize his point.
‘As he turns to walk away though the other man seems to grab his entire arm in what would possibly have been a complete disregard for Denzel’s initial and very authoritative ‘request’, which looks like an acceleration that could easily have led to a loss of control, but Denzel’s response now looks like some form of trained reaction as he pushes the arm away in a three-move gesture, grabbing at the man’s wrist to detach firmly. His point now seems to come with a ‘Stop it!’, but the suggestion from his non-verbal signals is that he is being firm but without actually losing his temper.’
@CinemaTweets1 wrote: ‘Not sure who this reporter at #CannesFilmFestival is that lost his mind & thinks it’s OK to put his hands on Denzel Washington, but clearly someone hasn’t seen The Equalizer. I said unhand my king!! Take two steps back! Do you have any idea who you’re f***ing with, sir? Back off!’
Despite the conflict, it was a memorable evening for Denzel as he was surprised with an honorary Palme d’Or award by director Spike Lee later in the night.
Cannes adjusted its schedule for Denzel to make the brief appearance, which came on his only weekly off-day while performing Othello in New York.
Spike said: ‘This is my brother, right here,’ as he presented the award to Denzel, who has had a long and sparkling career since breaking into show business more than 40 years ago.
‘This is a total surprise for me!’ the actor replied.
When the festival first announced its lineup last month, Highest 2 Lowest wasn’t listed, but Spike himself announced the film was heading to Cannes hours later.
Representatives for the festival said they had been waiting for confirmation that Denzel could attend the red carpet before confirming the film’s premiere slot.
Highest 2 Lowest, is a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film High and Low, and will be released in theatres by A24 August 22 before streaming on Apple TV+ September 5.
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The Cannes outburst comes 7 months after the star attended a film benefit at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art honouring his good friend Samuel L. Jackson.
As he arrived, a video shows him being approached by a frantic crowd of fans seeking autographs.
‘Put this down. I heard you. You talk about showing love… respect me,’ he told the fans in the video obtained by Fox.
In the clip, a fan can be heard saying: ‘We always do,’ to which the Man On Fire star continued: ‘I said, “I’ll see you when I get out.” Which part of that don’t y’all understand?’
He grew understandably impatient as they continued to insist, saying: ‘Or not, or not! We can do it another way. I can do it both ways, y’all.’
It seems, after so many years as one of the most famous men on earth, Denzel has lost all patience for inappropriate fan behaviour and is happy to put anyone who disrespects him in their place.
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