Brooklyn Lights Up for the U.S. Premiere of Highest 2 Lowest: Spike Lee & Denzel Washington Bring Cannes Sensation Home

Brooklyn took center stage tonight as the U.S. premiere of Highest 2 Lowest unfolded in cinematic style, marking the first stateside screening of Spike Lee’s electrifying reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low. The event, held at the historic Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), drew a sold-out crowd of film lovers, industry insiders, and A-list talent, transforming the borough into a Hollywood-meets-Bed-Stuy celebration.

Also turning heads were June Ambrose in a stunning avant-garde ensemble, Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker serving as the ultimate power couple, the always-charismatic Giancarlo Esposito, rapper and actor Dave East, media maven Bevy Smith, veteran journalist Don Lemon, and a host of other cultural influencers.

Following the screening, a standing ovation lasted several minutes, with attendees praising both the intensity of the narrative and the beauty of its execution. Conversations spilled into the lobby as guests dissected the film’s sharp social commentary, memorable score, and meticulous cinematography.

The celebration continued behind closed doors at an exclusive private reception. Between toasts, music, and the clink of glasses, the night became more than just a premiere. It was a homecoming — a statement — and a reminder that some stories demand to be told in the heart of the city that birthed them. With nationwide release set for August 15 and a streaming debut on Apple TV+ in September, Highest 2 Lowest has already cemented itself as one of 2025’s most important cinematic events.