Spike Lee and Denzel Washington have walked a long road together. The director and actor’s collaboration has run for 35 years, starting with “Mo’Better Blues” and including the seminal “Malcolm X.” But one thing they’ve never done is ascend the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival as comrades in arms.

Spike Lee on the Knicks, Highest 2 Lowest, Denzel, A$AP Rocky, & His Legendary Film Career Few icons represent New York City like Spike Lee — award-winning director, cultural force, Knicks superfan, and the visionary behind Do The Right Thing.

Denzel Washington sandwiched a whirlwind trip to the Cannes Film Festival in between Broadway performances for the premiere of Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest” and was rewarded with a surprise honorary Palme d'Or.