After it was curiously missing from this morning’s Cannes announcement, Spike Lee decided to announce himself that “Highest 2 Lowest” will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. He’s taking charge of his own narrative.
Lee took to Instagram just over an hour after the festival revealed its lineup, which did not include “Highest 2 Lowest,” and announced, in his own unique style, what Cannes curiously didn’t. Here’s what the filmmaker wrote …
Bon Jour. Good Morning. Whaddup❓Da New SPIKE LEE JOINT-HIGHEST 2 LOWEST Starring My Brother DENZEL WASHINGTON Has Been Invited To Da 2025 CANNES INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (In The Out Of Competition Category),” Lee wrote in the caption of a photo of a patch that says “Highest 2 Lowest 2 Cannes.
Two weeks ago, I reported about how Lee, who was last in competition with “BlackKlanslman,” was vehemently pushing for “Highest 2 Lowest” to compete for the Palme d’Or — he didn’t want an out-of-competition slot which, as I had written at the time, was very likely where the film would end up.
I’m actually surprised that Lee accepted his film to screen out of competition, as he threatened to not bring it at all to Cannes if he wasn’t competing for the Palme d’Or.
“Highest 2 Lowest” is rumored to be released in the summer, which is probably another reason why Lee had to settle with Cannes — there was nowhere else to go.
Denzel Washington and A$AP Rocky star in the film, which is being distributed by A24, and has been called a “reinterpretation” of Akira Kurosawa’s “High & Low.” Lee hired Alan Fox and Lee to write the screenplay.
In the Kurosawa film, the central character is a shoe businessman. In Lee’s interpretation, he’s a New York record executive. Lee’s film follows Denzel’s executive as he becomes a victim of extortion when his chauffeur’s son is kidnapped by mistake and held for ransom.
NOTE: A24 & Apple have released a new image from “Highest 2 Lowest,” which can be seen above. Denzel’s record exec is taking the subway.