The renowned duo of actor Denzel Washington and director Spike Lee is set to capture the silver screen once more through their fifth collaborative project, ‘Highest 2 Lowest’. A lapse of almost twenty years since they last worked together, both continue to exhibit a command over their respective crafts. Having already inhabited myriad characters, the seasoned 70-year-old actor tirelessly continues to prove his versatility.
Across several of their collaborations, Washington’s characters have ranged from an innocent jazz performer, a tormented detective on duty, to a real-life rebel – each rendered powerful through his signature subdued intensity. A memorable embodiment in ‘He Got Game’ (1998) had Washington portraying a prisoner striving to rebuild his bond with his estranged son. Their latest venture places him in a compelling predicament where a felon forces him to protect his younger son.
‘Highest 2 Lowest’, centres the narrative back to New York, and more specifically, Brooklyn, which is also the setting of Lee’s impending neo-noir crime drama. Receiving rave acknowledgment in 2024 upon being awarded the Board of Governors Award, Lee announced his upcoming undertaking with Matthew Libatique, set to recommence shooting the following day. Wrapping up marvelously, the film production concluded by the end of May 2021.
Exploring the distinct corners of Brooklyn, New York, ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ shoots became the talk of the town. Lee’s film résumé includes numerous works predominantly filmed in Brooklyn; be it ‘Do the Right Thing’ (1989), ‘Crooklyn’ (1994), or ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ (1986). Despite Lee’s Atlantan origin, New York City has deeply impacted his psyche and work, earning him his Master of Fine Arts in film education.
Lee’s return for ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ was eagerly anticipated. Although official specifics on the filming locations city-wide are limited, the trailer kindles enough curiosity. It offers glimpses of Washington’s character’s meanderings over the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Showcasing him residing in a towering apartment, his chauffeur drives him through varied city locales, enhancing the hints of class distinctions hinted at by the film’s title.
The film promises to provide a panoramic view of the city’s life spectrum through its chosen shooting sites, from opulent skyscrapers to humble neighborhoods. It features scenes of NYPD cars zipping through city streets and fleeting views of an underground subway station. The multi-faceted portrayal might condense the quintessence of the city through an exciting lens.
Serving a blend of vibrant cultural glimpses contrasted against the city’s more austere aspects, the film offers viewers a comprehensive picture. Interiors of a music mogul’s home, beautifully lit, find a place alongside scenes from the city’s less glamorous yet equally important quarters. These elements underscore the fact that these different worlds are not separate entities but rather parts of the same urban ecosystem.
‘Highest 2 Lowest’ marks the second instance of Spike Lee creatively interpreting an Asian film. With ‘Oldboy’ by Park Chan-wook under his belt from 2013, Lee’s latest project is a novel spin on Akira Kurosawa’s ‘High and Low’. Kurosawa’s 1963 crime thriller had a wealthy shoe executive navigating an existential conundrum at its heart.
The new film presents a contemporary take on Kurosawa’s narrative, focusing on a music mogul. The official plot synopsis reads: ‘Targeted in a high-stakes ransom scheme, a revered music mogul known for his esteemed auditory discernment becomes entangled in a do-or-die ethical predicament. Reuniting for their fifth professional collaboration, brothers Denzel Washington and Spike Lee offer an imaginative reinterpretation of renowned filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s ‘High and Low’, set against the gritty backdrop of present-day New York City.’
With Denzel Washington playing the role of David King, the ensemble cast for ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ includes acclaimed actors such as Ilfenesh Hadera as Pam King, Jeffrey Wright as Paul Christopher, A$AP Rocky as Yung Felony, and Wendell Pierce as Gabe. Additional members include LaChanze as Det. Bell, Dean Winters as Det. Higgins, Aubrey Joseph as Trey King, Michael Potts as Patrick Bethea, and John Douglas Thompson as Det. Earl Bridges.
The unveiling of the film is scheduled at the much-anticipated Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, followed by its release in theatres.
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