Key Takeaways:

• The documentary The Stringer, debuted at Sundance, challenges the widely accepted narrative of the 'Napalm Girl' photograph.
• Nguyen Thanh Nghe, a freelance photographer, claims he captured the iconic image of Kim Phuc on June 8, 1972.
• The Associated Press maintains that Nick Ut is the rightful photographer, disputing the allegations made in the film.
• Kim Phuc, the subject of the photograph, defended Ut, stating he deserves the credit for the image.
• A potential legal battle looms as Ut's attorney prepares for a defamation lawsuit against the filmmakers.

A significant controversy has erupted with the release of The Stringer, a documentary that debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, which asserts that a renowned photograph from the Vietnam War—colloquially known as the "Napalm Girl" image—was not captured by the celebrated Associated Press photographer Nick Ut, but rather by a lesser-known Vietnamese stringer, Nguyen Thanh Nghe. This photo, taken on June 8, 1972, depicts a distressed young girl, Kim Phuc, fleeing a napalm attack in her village. The photograph has been pivotal in shaping public perception of the Vietnam War and earned Nick Ut a Pulitzer Prize at the age of just 22.

During a Q&A session post-premiere, Nghe claimed authorship of this Pulitzer Prize-winning image, stating through a translator, "I took the photo." To the audience's applause, he detailed his experience as a driver for an NBC news crew that day when he captured Phuc's anguished run down the street. Nghe went on to sell his image to the AP for a mere $20. However, he did not clarify why it took him over fifty years to assert this claim. Meanwhile, the AP maintains its long-held position that Nick Ut is the sole photographer responsible for the image, expressing disappointment at the documentary's portrayal of its investigative integrity. The agency has called for the filmmakers to release contributors from their non-disclosure agreements to allow for further inquiry into the matter.

A crucial voice in this ongoing debate is Kim Phuc herself. Despite her lack of memory regarding the specific moment captured, she expressed unequivocal support for Ut, condemning the film's implications in a statement provided by Ut's attorney, James Hornstein. “I have no doubt in my mind and heart that it was Nick who ran towards me to capture the famous photo,” Phuc stated. She criticized the documentary as an “outrageous and false attack” on Ut, further affirming that he had aided her and her family following the attack.

The documentary draws from statements by Carl Robinson, a former AP photo editor, who claims he was pressured to assign credit for the photo to Ut by Horst Faas, the bureau’s chief of photos at the time. Robinson expressed regret over his decision but has since framed his allegations as an effort to bring truth to light, citing a need to absolve his conscience. The investigation that led to the film's creation spanned over two years and involved rigorous analysis, including consultations with an expert forensics team from France.

However, trust in Robinson's narrative is under scrutiny, as many witnesses, including respected journalists who were contemporaries of the event, continue to affirm Ut’s authorship of the photograph. The AP, after conducting its own six-month investigation, reiterated that they found no compelling evidence to suggest anyone other than Ut took the photo.

As the debate continues, Hornstein is preparing a defamation lawsuit on behalf of Ut against the filmmakers, emphasizing the need to protect Ut's legacy and reputation. “In due course, we will proceed to right this wrong in a courtroom where Nick Ut’s reputation will be vindicated,” Hornstein stated.

The controversies surrounding The Stringer reflect the complexities of historical memory and media representation, especially in the context of powerful wartime imagery. As discussions progress, both the filmmakers and the AP assert their commitment to uncovering the truth behind the photo that has shaped public consciousness for over fifty years. For further details on this ongoing story, click here.