PARK CITY, Utah — A Vietnamese freelance photographer has emerged from decades of silence to claim authorship of the iconic “napalm girl” photo, a pivotal image from the Vietnam War that has typically been attributed to a photographer from The Associated Press. This revelation was made public during the Sundance Film Festival, where the documentary “The Stringer” premiered.
Nguyen Thanh Nghe asserts that he captured the Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of a young girl, Kim Phuc, as she fled a napalm strike in South Vietnam on June 8, 1972. Nghe claimed during a post-screening discussion that he was working as a driver for an NBC news crew at the time and shot the now-famous image, which he sold to the AP for a modest $20. He also mentioned that a print of the photo was later destroyed by his wife. However, the Associated Press has conducted its own thorough investigation and stands by its assertion that Nick Ut, the previously recognized photographer, is the creator of the photograph.
In a statement, the AP expressed its disappointment over the documentary’s portrayal of its investigation process. They clarified that they were not consulted before the film’s release and have requested that the filmmakers lift the non-disclosure agreements imposed on their contributors, including Nghe. The AP reaffirmed its commitment to uncovering and presenting a factual narrative regarding the historic photograph.
During the documentary’s post-screening Q&A, Nghe, speaking through a translator, made his assertion that he took the famous photo, which was met with applause from the audience. However, he did not explain the long delay in revealing his claim to the world. The AP’s representative highlighted their ongoing interest in pursuing a truthful account and reiterated their request to review all materials related to the film.
The investigative work featured in the documentary was conducted by a team led by filmmakers Gary Knight and Fiona Turner, along with director Bao Nguyen. Nguyen acknowledged the challenge of confronting a long-established narrative, expressing that his aim was to amplify the story of individuals like Nghe.
The AP independently reviewed the controversy preceding the documentary’s release and concluded that there is no evidence to discredit Nick Ut as the photographer. They reiterated their willingness to examine any new information that emerges. Knight and Turner previously met with the AP to discuss their findings, but the organization declined to sign a non-disclosure agreement proposed by the filmmakers, which led to the disagreement over the evidence claimed to have been shared.
One pivotal voice in the film is Carl Robinson, a former AP photo editor, who states that he was instructed by Horst Faas, the chief of photos for AP in Saigon, to credit Nick Ut for the image. Faas is deceased, as is the technician who developed the film. Robinson, who left the AP in 1978, expressed remorse for not addressing Nghe’s claims sooner, revealing that he wanted to share his regrets and recognize Nghe’s contribution before it was too late.
The documentary includes analyses from various sources invoicing support for the notion that Ut is the photographer of record. Witnesses interviewed by the AP, including established correspondents and Phuc herself, maintain that Ut is the rightful creator of the photograph.
A French forensic team was also enlisted to analyze the scene of the photograph, aiming to calculate the likelihood of various claims. Their findings suggested that it would be improbable for Nghe to have taken the photograph from the perceived vantage point.
Following the screening, Ut’s attorney stated that steps would be taken to restore Ut’s reputation and defend against the allegations made within the documentary. The filmmakers emphasized the importance of scrutinizing prevailing narratives in journalism, proposing that such inquiries could ultimately strengthen the profession.
At present, “The Stringer” does not have a distribution deal established and remains a subject of significant discussion following its Sundance premiere.
