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Image Courtesy: The Independent
'The Stringer: The Man Who Took the Photo,' a daring and contentious documentary that raises new questions about who took one of the most famous pictures in wartime journalism, has been bought by Netflix. The controversial "Napalm Girl" photograph from the Vietnam War, officially known as 'The Terror of War,' is revisited in this Bao Nguyen-directed movie, which raises new questions about whether renowned Associated Press photographer Nick Ut actually captured the moment that characterized a period.
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Image Courtesy: Deadline
Unearthing a Contested History
A disturbing theory at the heart of 'The Stringer' is that Nguyễn Thành Nghệ, a Vietnamese freelance photographer and stringer, may have taken the famous photo of Phan Thi Kim Phuc escaping a napalm strike, which has long been attributed to Nick Ut. The film gathers forensic analyses, archival scrutiny, and testimonies, including that of Carl Robinson, a former AP photo editor, who says he was told by the bureau chief to attribute the shot to Ut despite contradicting evidence.
It is supported by a thorough two-year investigation headed by photographer Gary Knight and a group of journalists.
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Image Courtesy: Deadline
When the documentary made its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, Nghe declared, "I took the photo," on screen. His assertion led to an international reckoning. After a comprehensive investigation that lasted a full year and included interviews, 3D modeling to reconstruct the scene, and examination of remaining negatives, the Associated Press finally confirmed Ut's authorship, stating that there was not enough solid evidence to reassign credit.
After its own investigation revealed that Nghe—or even a military photographer, Huỳnh Công Phúc—might have been in a better position to capture the moment, World Press Photo suspended the photo's attribution completely.
Real-world Ripples and the Weight of Visual Truth
The Netflix agreement guarantees that the discussion of journalistic legacy will continue to reverberate and signals the film's worldwide reach. The documentary challenges viewers to consider how historical narratives are created and whose voices are either amplified or silenced in the process by highlighting Nghe's experience. The creators of the movie say that it's not only about switching credits; it's also about recognizing the work of local and independent journalists who are sometimes overlooked in media history.
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Image Courtesy: The Hollywood Reporter
The controversy is far from settled. In addition to expressing intense emotional distress over the conflict, Nick Ut's legal team has hinted to the possibility for defamation proceedings. Even though 'The Stringer' says it will not waver in its pursuit of openness and narrative justice, the AP has reaffirmed its willingness to consider any fresh, convincing evidence.
With Netflix now championing 'The Stringer,' this documentary is poised to ignite widespread debate over truth, memory, and the ethics of storytelling in journalism. Netflix has officially acquired the film for global release—though the blackout of a specific release date suggests it may stream later in 2025.
