Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington was surprisingly awarded the Honorary Palme d'Or Award at the Cannes Film Festival.
The acting icon made a quick stop at the prestigious film festival to attend the premiere of Spike Lee's new film Highest 2 Lowest, in which he stars. It marked his first film with the acclaimed director in 18 years.
Denzel Washington Receives Surprise Honorary Palme d'Or
During the world premiere screening of Highes 2 Lowest, Washington was awarded the Honorary Palme d'Or.
The award came as a surprise for the Oscar winner as he wasn't informed prior that he would be awarded the prestigious lifetime achievement award.
He would be following the footsteps of previous Honorary Palme d'Or awardees such as Jodie Foster, Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, Meryl Streep, and George Lucas.
Washington was emotional on stage when he was given the award and received a standing ovation from the audience.
Lee said when he passed the award to the actor, "This is my brother, right here."
"This is a total surprise for me, so I’m emotional. It’s a great opportunity to collaborate with my brother once again, brother from another mother, and to be here once again in Cannes," Washington said in his acceptance speech.
"We’re a very privileged group in this room that we get to make movies and wear tuxedos and nice clothes and dress up and get paid for it as well. We’re just blessed beyond measure. I’m blessed beyond measure. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all."
Denzel Washington Snaps at Photographer on Cannes Red Carpet
This is not the only highlight of Washington's visit to the Cannes Film Festival that fans online are talking about.
During the red carpet, the Oscar winner was seen confronting a photographer who put his hand on him.
Washington told the photographer to "stop". The photographer tried to laugh off the moment, but the actor was seemingly not pleased with the situation and reminded him again to stop bothering.
The clip went viral online, with fans taking on the side of Washington as they understood why he reacted that way in the tense exchange with the photographer.
What do you think of Washington receiving the Honorary Palme d'Or? Let us know in the comments!
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