WATCH: Denzel Washington gets into heated exchange with photographer on the Cannes red carpet

A Hollywood A-lister got into an unexpected confrontation on one of the world's biggest red carpets.

Each year, the Cannes Film Festival red carpet is stacked with stars and a wall of photographers who are there to capture all the celebrities in their glamorous gowns.

But while walking the red carpet on May 19 (May 20 local time), Denzel Washington, 70, got into an heated exchange with a photographer over one move.

Watch the video above.

The actor was at the film festival for the world premiere of his new film, Highest 2 Lowest, directed by Spike Lee and co-starring rapper A$AP Rocky.

Washington was chatting to Lee on the red carpet when one photographer grabbed his suit jacket sleeve, seemingly to try get the actor's attention.

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In video footage capturing the moment, Washington then turned away from Lee and Rocky – who had wandered over – to directly confront the man.

The Equalizer star pointed in the photographer's face repeatedly while the man laughed and once again grabbed Washington's arm.

During the exchange, the star appeared to say "stop" multiple times.

After a heated start to the evening on the red carpet, the actor ended the night with a big surprise.

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Washington was awarded an honorary Palme d'Or at the film festival, recognising his career and achievements in the film industry.

The award has only been given out 21 times since 2002.

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It has previously gone to Hollywood greats like Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda and Harrison Ford.

"This is a total surprise for me," Washington said while being presented with the award, per the Associated Press.

Washington has starred in blockbusters such as The Equalizer and Gladiator II.

While in Australia for the Gladiator II premiere, Washington's co-star Paul Mescal opened about working with the Oscar winner.

"He's just been both so generous with his talent, his performance in the film is just extraordinary but he's been totally paternal in a non-condescending way entirely on this press tour," Mescal said.

"And to get that from somebody who is so fundamentally talented is so, it feels incredibly generous and kind."

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