‘Highest 2 Lowest’: Spike Lee on Trump, Cannes Scandals and the Knicks’ Championship Chances: “We’re Going to Win!”

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Spike Lee got off to a strong start.

Kicking off the press conference for his exciting new crime thriller, “Highest 2 Lowest,” the director joked, “Let’s keep things error-free today!” This remark was a nod to his past experience at Cannes, where he served as president of the 74th Cannes jury and inadvertently announced the winner of the Palme d’Or prematurely during the festival’s closing ceremony.

In this version, I aimed to maintain the original meaning while using more casual yet polite language and providing a bit more context for readers who may not be familiar with the specific Cannes Film Festival incident.

However, upon his return, Cannes gave him a warm welcome, as “Highest 2 Lowest” was met with an incredibly passionate response after its presentation at the Palais on Monday evening. The Cannes Film Festival surprised Denzel Washington, who was in town for just a few hours between Broadway performances of “Othello,” by awarding him an honorary Palme d’Or for his distinguished career in cinema.

In the heat of a fierce corporate battle within the music industry, I, Denzel Washington, find myself as the captivating and influential figure, David King. The storm hits home when it appears my son is kidnapped, but things take an unexpected turn when we learn the abductors have seized the wrong boy – Kyle, son of my trusted driver and confidant, Paul, played by Jeffrey Wright. As friendships are stretched to their limits and reputations hang in the balance, the distinction between personal duty and public image becomes increasingly hazy.

Lee was accompanied at the Cannes press conference by Wright and Ilfenesh Hadera, who portrays King’s composed yet suspicious wife, Pam.

Lee’s first collaboration with his former muse, Washington, since the 2006 film “Inside Man” is their highest and lowest marked project to date.

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Lee has reunited with Washington for a project since their last collaboration in 2006’s “Inside Man”, which marks either their best or worst work together.

Lee mentioned that it’s been 18 years since then, but it feels like just yesterday, as if no time has passed at all, because we haven’t missed a beat.

Hadera mentioned that she often works with Spike Lee as well. “There’s been much discussion lately about Spike Lee’s collaborations with Denzel Washington, but this marks our fifth project together, which is truly remarkable.

In a new narrative film he’s directed, titled “Highest 2 Lowest“, since his work on “Red Hook Summer” in 2012, this is his first feature shot in New York. This movie is a fresh take on Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 masterpiece “High and Low“, set against the bustling streets of modern-day NYC. The gripping kidnapping plot is now woven into the competitive landscape of the contemporary music industry, reflecting America’s culture that’s heavily influenced by media.

Wright referred to Lee as one of the key protectors of the African-American perspective on America, a viewpoint that’s incredibly important at this moment in time.

Speaking about it, Wright, featured in Wes Anderson’s Cannes competition film titled “The Phonecian Scheme“, mentioned that he filmed both projects consecutively. He expressed, “I might be the unique individual in cinema history to have been involved with a Spike Lee production and a Wes Anderson project simultaneously.

The principal actors feature Aubrey Joseph portraying Trey, the teenage son of the king; Elijah Wright, Wright’s real-life child, as Kyle; A$AP Rocky in an impressive secondary role as Yung Felon, a gangster and rapper; Isis “Ice Spice” Gaston making her acting debut with a supporting part; and British singer Aiyana-Lee delivering a powerful performance of the movie’s hit theme song.

Lee mentioned, ‘Aiyana-Lee, we’re not related, but I discovered her on Instagram.’ One of the advantages of technology is that being an artist no longer requires moving from cities like New York or L.A. I was able to find many people in this film, including myself, on Instagram.

As a passionate gamer, I’d say: “I was thoroughly impressed by Highest 2 Lowest, the latest masterpiece from developer Lee. It’s an intense police procedural that expertly dissects social class structures. The wit, style, and energy it exudes are second to none!

On August 22nd, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be able to catch Apple Original Films in theaters across the U.S., as they’re being distributed by A24!

During a broad media interview, Lee didn’t miss the chance to subtly criticize those who had criticized his groundbreaking work “Do The Right Thing” when it was first presented at Cannes in 1989. Notably, the film was overlooked for the Palme d’Or, a regrettable oversight among the festival’s most memorable blunders.

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In an extensive press conference, Lee seized the moment to cast a sideways glance at those who had panned his groundbreaking work “Do The Right Thing” upon its debut at Cannes in 1989. Notably, the film was denied the Palme d’Or, a regrettable omission among the festival’s most notable errors.

Lee recounted that when ‘Do the Right Thing’ debuted in Cannes and later in the U.S., there were comments such as: ‘This movie will cause riots among black people, driving them insane.’ Lee described this as outright racism, implying that black audiences couldn’t differentiate between reality and fiction on screen. Over time, these predictions have been disproven, but none of those individuals have ever admitted their mistake or apologized. Yet, the film continues to thrive, and those who made such ignorant remarks remain so.

Both Lee and Wright discussed a significant matter that has been drawing attention at Cannes this year – the escalating problem of overseas production and the noticeable decrease in filming days within the United States.

Lee expressed concern, stating, “Many are struggling, and employment seems scarce. There’s a man named Donald Trump who proposes taxing every movie filmed outside the U.S. I can’t quite grasp how this would work, but I cherish filming here in New York… There are certain aspects that can’t be recreated. It’s about the atmosphere, the vitality. I feel incredibly fortunate to have made films set in New York.

Wright mentioned, “I spent quite a bit of time in London last year, and I’d prefer to work in Brooklyn now because it’s more convenient. However, one difficulty when working in America is the fact that there are 50 states, which means multiple tax systems. To streamline these tax incentives from the federal level, we need strong leadership, not just political games or point-scoring.

Lee was careful to never directly mention the current POTUS.

“My wife said, ‘Spike!’ be careful what you say!” he joked.

However, Lee was always eager to discuss basketball, frequently expressing his love for the New York Knicks. When asked about their forthcoming Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers, he confidently predicted a sweep, stating, “We’ll come out on top!

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2025-05-20 13:24