Julia Roberts and Spike Lee win the AFI Life Achievement Award from Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington was the man of the hour Thursday night. All, from Julia Roberts to Spike Lee, have come to celebrate as the recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award. But when he finally took the stage to accept the honor, he did something unexpected: at his own awards ceremony, Washington sidetracked him. and offered his wife Pauletta Washington, 40, his own standing ovation.

Michael B. Jordan and Mahershala Ali, Cicely Tyson and Morgan Freeman, very much obliged to do so, are absolutely right.

"I would not be alive without Pauletta Washington," said Washington. "I will not survive."

It's hard to stand out at an evening featuring a surprise appearance by Beyoncé (to briefly present an honor to director Melina Matsoukas) and a stellar rendition of Sam Cooke. "A change is about to happen" of Jennifer Hudson who took over Washington, but he managed to do it.

As Roberts, Tyson and others have attested throughout the evening, Denzel Washington, a two-time Oscar winner, is a family. the man first. Sitting alongside Pauletta Washington, his son Malcolm Washington, Lee, Tyson and directors Carl Franklin and Ed Zwick, the 64-year-old spent two hours on a moving tour of his historic career in Hollywood – new came pbadionate to the acclaimed movie director star – by those who were at his side.

"We are all here because we love Denzel," said Lee, director of Washington in four films (Mo 'Better Blues,' He Got Game ', Malcolm X and Inside Man). "Denzel represents our black humanity."

Lee, the last speaker of the evening, compared Washington to other GOATs (the greatest of all time) such as Michael Jordan, Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis.

"It's air thinfied." 19659012] Lee also stated that, although it may be biased, "Malcolm X is the greatest performance ever devoted to celluloid." [19659006] And others were just as effusive. Roberts recalled that working with him in The Pelican Brief was like working with the Beatles.

It is, as Jamie Foxx says, "Someone better than everyone else … when it comes to action!"

"Even Leonardo DiCaprio is like:" I'm really scared of Denzel, "added Foxx.

The American Film Institute brought together many of the brightest talents of the next generation to tell them about Washington's impact on them.

"Mr. Washington's arrival was a seismic moment for my generation, you have opened the way," said Ali, "Your influence, your reach transcends race without ever denying it."

Michael B. Jordan was told inspired by this story: while filming Glory, Washington continued to wear his false scars in a scene where he was wearing his shirt.Jordan uses the same technique for his "Black Panther" character. [19659006] Chadwick Boseman even went so far as to say, "There is no Black Panther without Denzel Washington."

Issa Rae made Washington cry with laughter. She recounted the adult noises she recalls when her mother and aunt had made her watching her movies when she was little. She came to understand, she said, when she looked at Devil in a blue dress while she was a little older.

Washington remained alert and entertained throughout the evening, laughing heartily when Jodie Foster declared that they were all there to "kiss your black a-" and yelling "Give up, Morgan! When Freeman took a long pause after announcing with a demented expression how jealous he was. He and Lee were as playful as schoolboys in Malcolm X's "deceiving and foolish" speech, reciting the replies with the reel, and he accepted a long line of sympathizers during the lunch break.

The time has come for him to speak, in addition to thanking his wife for "40 years of sacrifice and 40 years of forgiveness", Washington has taken advantage of his moment to speak about God and those who have him. helped throughout his journey.

"If nothing else, I am living proof of the power of God," said Washington. "I like to play. I like making movies … But my love for God is stronger than anything else.

The 47th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala, organized with the support of Audi, also recognized Matsoukas with the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal, available to all Beyoncé came early to talk about her friend and collaborator, who notably directed her "Formation" video.

"She holds a mirror for people who look and feel alike, saying," You are beautiful and your stories matter, "said Beyoncé. "She remains authentic to her roots and femininity in an industry dominated by men."

Matsukas said that without her, "I am not the same voice and I am not the same creator. "

to be broadcast on TNT at 22h on June 20.