The annual Cannes Film Festival is now underway, giving directors a chance to showcase many of their upcoming works to eager audiences. Among these projects is Spike Lee’s newest film, Highest 2 Lowest.

Highest 2 Lowest serves as Lee’s reimagining of the classic Akira Kurosawa film, High And Low. The film follows an icon of the music industry getting wrapped up in the criminal underworld. After someone close to him is kidnapped, he must carefully navigate the ransom plot thrown his way, trying to find the best way to bring them back. 

Denzel Washington leads the film, with the supporting talent of Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, A$AP Rocky, and Dean Winters, among others. 

Lee made an appearance at Cannes, along with his family, to celebrate his latest feature. Alongside Lee and his family were several of his collaborators, all there commemorating the upcoming debut of Highest 2 Lowest. 

Wendell Pierce was in attendance, as well, who will be appearing in Highest 2 Lowest. He also starred in many other movies of Lee’s, including the last film Lee and Washington collaborated on, Malcolm X. 

While talking to Hollywood Reporter, Pierce looked back on his time with Lee in the past, going all the way back to when they were still breaking into the industry. 

“I’m just so happy to be a part of his journey because I think he is emblematic of the American aesthetic of freedom within form. He understands how to honor technique and, at the same time, be as creative and expressive as he can be. So, for you guys here at The Hollywood Reporter to honor him that way, it marks his legacy,” he said. 

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