Denzel Washington shouted at a photographer to "stop it" during a tense exchange at Cannes Film Festival

He appeared to give the photographer a telling off for tapping him on the arm, although the man was smiling and laughing during the exchange.

He was then seen grabbing Denzel's arm again, and the furious star flung his hand away.

The 'Training Day' actor was heard shouting "Stop it, stop it" as he pointed directly at the photographer, before storming off.

The evening improved for Denzel - who had flown to France from New York on his day off during a production of 'Othello' - after the exchange, as director Spike Lee surprised him with an honorary Palme d'Or award.

He admitted: "This is a total surprise for me, I'm so emotional. It's a great opportunity to collaborate with my brother once again, brother from another mother, and to be here once again in Cannes.

"We're a very privileged group in this room that we get to make movies and wear tuxedos and nice clothes and dress up and get paid for it as well.

"We're just blessed beyond measure. I'm blessed beyond measure. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all."

'Highest 2 Lowest' is the fifth time Denzel and Spike have worked together, and their first since 'Inside Man' in 2006.

The movie received a standing ovation at Cannes, and it's said Denzel had a "great" night despite the earlier drama with the photographer.

His representative told PEOPLE magazine: "It was a great evening."

Denzel has enjoyed a hugely successful career in the film business, but he recently insisted he remains more closely connected to his roots in Mount Vernon than to Hollywood.

He said on 'CBS Sunday Morning' in March: "What's the definition of a Hollywood actor? Myself, I'm from Mount Vernon, so I'm a 'Mount Vernon actor.' I don't know what 'Hollywood' means."

Denzel also revealed that he sees himself as "a stage actor who does film".

The star explained: "It's not the other way around. I did stage first. I learned how to act on stage, not on film."