Premiere Details

Spike Lee’s highly awaited film, Highest 2 Lowest, is scheduled for its premiere on May 19th at the Cannes Film Festival. This date holds special significance for Lee, as it marks the 36th anniversary of the Cannes screening of his iconic film Do the Right Thing.

Notably, this will be the first time that Denzel Washington walks the red carpet at Cannes, an event lauded by festival chief Thierry Fremaux.

A Long-standing Relationship with Cannes

Spike Lee has a rich history with the Cannes Film Festival, having presented five films there, including his last competition entry, BLACKKKLANSMAN, which won the Grand Prix in 2018 and led to six Oscar nominations. Lee also served as the Jury President in 2021. However, Highest 2 Lowest is not expected to compete this year.

A Collaboration with A24 and Apple

This film represents a collaboration between Apple and A24, generating buzz since its announcement in early 2022. Lee’s adaptation draws inspiration from Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film High and Low, marking Lee’s second reinterpretation of an international classic.

The cast includes notable actors such as Jeffrey Wright, Dean Winters, Ice Spice, A$AP Rocky, and Denzel Washington, who reunites with Lee after nearly two decades.

Synopsis and Inspirations

Kurosawa’s original film explores moral dilemmas within the context of class and capitalism in 1960s Japan. The narrative centers on Kingo Gondo, played by Toshiro Mifune, a shoe executive facing dire choices when a kidnapper mistakenly abducts his chauffeur’s son instead of his own.

In Lee’s reinterpretation, the story shifts to a contemporary New York City, where Washington’s character is reimagined as a “music mogul,” while A$AP Rocky portrays “Yung Felon,” a character pivotal to the plot. The film seems poised to examine the intersections of race and capitalism, themes prevalent in Lee’s body of work.

Anticipation and Speculation

Though specifics about Highest 2 Lowest remain scarce, Lee has shared glimpses from the set, enhancing anticipation among fans and critics alike. Speculations suggest that the film retains a narrative thread where themes of integrity and moral responsibility are analyzed against the backdrop of gentrification and economic struggles.

As critics await the film’s release, questions abound concerning how closely it will align with Kurosawa’s original message and whether it will forge its unique path within Lee’s storied career.