Denzel Washington receives surprise honorary Palme d'Or at Cannes
Cannes, France – In a heartfelt and unexpected tribute, American actor Denzel Washington was honoured with the Honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday, marking his first-ever appearance on the festival's famed red carpet.
The 70-year-old double Oscar-winner received the surprise lifetime achievement award ahead of the premiere of Spike Lee's latest film, 'Highest 2 Lowest', in which Washington stars. Cannes festival chiefs Thierry Frémaux and Iris Knobloch presented the accolade, with a star-studded audience including A$AP Rocky and his partner Rihanna in attendance.
Before presenting the award, Frémaux introduced a moving montage of Washington's most iconic performances, featuring clips from 'Malcolm X' and 'Mo' Better Blues', both directed by Spike Lee, as well as from 'Glory' – which earned Washington an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1989 – and 'Training Day', for which he won Best Actor in 2002.
That same year, Halle Berry won Best Actress for Monster's Ball, making it the first time both top acting awards at the Academy Awards were presented to Black actors.
'It's a total surprise, I'm so emotional,' Washington reportedly said on stage. The red carpet event for Highest 2 Lowest was a spectacle in itself. Spike Lee appeared in a striking orange pinstriped suit paired with a matching hat, while A$AP Rocky flaunted a gold dental piece, adding to the flamboyant energy of the night.
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