New York Crime, Old Movie Magic: Spike Lee's Latest Hits Cannes

Spike Lee brought his latest movie, Highest 2 Lowest, to the Cannes Film Festival. This time, it was shown outside the main competition. The film stars Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, A$AP Rocky, and Ilfenesh Hadera. It is a fresh take on Akira Kurosawa's 1963 crime drama, High and Low. The original movie was based on a novel called King’s Ransom. It follows a shoe company boss who faces a tricky situation when his driver’s son is kidnapped by mistake. In Highest 2 Lowest, Washington plays a music industry big shot who deals with a similar problem. The story is set in today’s New York City. This is not the first time Lee and Washington have worked together. They have collaborated on several projects, including Inside Man, Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, and He Got Game. Before the movie's premiere, Washington was given a special honor, the Palme d’Or. This award is a big deal in the film world. The movie is produced by Apple and A24. It marks Lee’s sixth time in the Cannes Official Selection. His first appearance was 36 years ago with Do the Right Thing. Other films he brought to Cannes include Jungle Fever, Girl 6, Ten Minutes Older, and BlacKkKlansman. The news about Highest 2 Lowest being in Cannes came out on the same day as the official selection. However, the festival had to wait for confirmation that Washington would be there. The movie is set to hit theaters on August 22 and will be available on Apple TV+ on September 5. It is written by Alan Fox and Lee. The production team includes Todd Black for Escape Artists and Jason Michael Berman for Mandalay Pictures. Several other producers and exec producers are also involved. The movie had a strong start with a six-minute standing ovation at its world premiere. This shows that audiences are excited about this new take on an old story. The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most prestigious events in the film industry. It is a place where new movies are shown to the world for the first time. Directors and actors often receive awards and recognition. The festival is also a chance for filmmakers to connect with others in the industry. It is a place where new talent is discovered and celebrated.