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Boa Nguyen, USA 2025
Five decades of secrets unfold of one of the most alarming yet infamous photographs the twentieth century has ever known in THE STRINGER. Emmy-nominated Vietnamese American filmmaker Boa Nguyen (his last film THE GREATEST NIGHT IN POP) documents a shocking story behind the photograph known as the “Napalm Girl” taken during the Vietnam War on June 8,1972, titled “The Terror of War.”
The credited Associate Press photographer is Nick Ut, who won a Pulitzer Prize for this wartime portrayal of a young girl, running down a road in terror from a napalm attack, naked, as her clothes had been ripped off due to the intense burning on her skin. This notorious image from the Vietnam War shocked the world.
When Nguyen heard about the discrepancy of the rightful owner of the photograph, he was shocked. “The revelations were startling,” he recalls, “compelling a confrontation with uncomfortable truths that challenge our historical narratives and push against our comfort zones.”
A two-year investigation emerges when a whistleblower brings substantial evidence that the identity of the one who took the iconic photograph is not Nick Ut although het has been given the accolades and the credit of the image for over 50 years. The hidden secrets are what Nguyen eloquently unfolds in THE STRINGER, with the collaboration of acclaimed war photographer Gary Knight, and journalists Fiona Turner, Terri Lichstein, and Lê V?n to seek the truth and justice for the real photographer, formally known as “the stringer.”
The definition of a stringer from www.simplyglobalmedia.com states: A freelance journalist or photographer who contributes news stories, photographs, or videos to media organizations on a per-assignment basis. Stringers are not full-time employees of the media outlet but rather work independently, often covering specific beats or regions for the organization. Stringers are typically paid for each piece of work they submit, rather than receiving a regular salary.
Nguyen shares, “The central figures of our film are the intrepid journalists who have tirelessly fought for the truth to be recognized during their entire career—a narrative long overshadowed by complex internal politics and historical oversight. Their relentless pursuit to illuminate these forgotten tales exemplifies not just resilience but a deep commitment to truth.”
Nguyen continues, “THE STRINGER invites audiences on a journey that transcends a mere quest for justice--it is an exploration of understanding and acknowledgment.” Adding, “It’s a reminder of how essential listening is to our collective humanity, urging us to engage with stories that demand attention and reflection.”
