Navigating the Murky Waters of War Photography
In the competitive world of documentary filmmaking, Bao Nguyen's The Stringer stands out, yet not always in the way it hopes. This film digs deep into the lore surrounding one of history's most haunting images, known as 'Napalm Girl,' captured during the Vietnam War. The investigation reveals the complexities of war, journalism, and the often-unseen freelancers who risk their lives to capture truth.
The Spotlight on 'Napalm Girl'
Remember the infamous photograph? It shows a young Vietnamese girl, Kim Phuc, fleeing from a napalm attack, her face a portrait of terror and pain. The image won a Pulitzer Prize and became a stark representation of the Vietnam War's brutality. We learn that while Nick Ut was credited for this defining moment, the documentary contends that the spotlight was stolen from a local stringer, Nguyen Thanh Nghe, a glaring oversight that begs the question: Who truly gets credit in an industry rife with inequality and disregard for local voices?
“In a world where images and their stories can easily overshadow the creators, whose narrative do we choose to elevate?”
The Battle for Recognition
Nguyen's documentary is less of a high-octane thriller and more of a slow burn, akin to the quiet resilience of those left in the shadows. The film raises pressing questions: How frequently do we recognize the hands behind historic snapshots? What about the freelancers, often relegated to the background, despite their pivotal roles?
The Quest for Truth
The film's structure is straightforward, focusing on journalists and expert analysis to peel back layers of this fraught situation. As the viewer, we're taken on a quest led by photographer Gary Knight, who embarks on a mission to unearth the truth buried in time and bureaucracy. Yet, it sadly lacks the drama that could propel it into must-see territory.
The Emotional Undertone
The tone throughout is a medley of seriousness and a somber acknowledgment of the very real exploitation faced by locals during the war, contrasted against the backdrop of international media glamour. Despite the best intentions, the film struggles with pacing, and lacks the thrilling chase one might expect from such a charged topic.
A Final Reflection
Ultimately, The Stringer leaves us with more questions than answers about our hunger for narratives that align with familiar tropes. In the hunt for truth, we must also recognize the labyrinthine paths taken to get there and question who benefits from these narratives. As an industry, journalism needs to evolve to ensure that every story told honors every voice, no matter how quiet or hidden.
The film challenges not only our perceptions of credit and fame but essentially pits the dark past against the expectations of journalistic integrity in representation. As we step back to reflect, it becomes clear that the true stories of the people behind the lens are just as vital as the images they create.
Conclusion
To watch The Stringer: The Man Who Took the Photo is to engage with history, question the narratives we accept, and, perhaps, even confront our biases in how we view representation in media. Rated R for intense wartime images and having a running time of 1 hour and 40 minutes, the film is available for streaming on Netflix.
Source reference: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/movies/the-stringer-the-man-who-took-the-photo-review.html
