The Investigation Begins
The story of “The Stringer” starts with a rumor that the iconic image of a young girl running from a napalm attack in Vietnam was taken by a local freelancer, not the AP staff photographer Nick Ut. This rumor has been circulating for decades, and it’s time to uncover the truth. The rumor claims that the image was taken by a man named John Filo, who was a local freelancer working for the Associated Press (AP) at the time. Filo was a well-known photographer in the area, and his work was featured in various publications. However, despite his reputation, Filo’s involvement in the image has never been officially confirmed.
The Investigation Unfolds
As the investigation into the rumor begins, it becomes clear that the truth is more complex than initially thought. The AP staff photographer, Nick Ut, was indeed present at the scene where the image was taken. However, Ut’s lawyer attempted to block the film’s release, claiming that the image was taken by Filo. The AP and the Pulitzer Prize Board ultimately decided to award the Pulitzer Prize to Ut, but the controversy surrounding the image’s origin continued.
The Truth Revealed
After years of investigation, the truth about the image’s origin has finally been revealed. In 2017, the Pulitzer Prize Board officially acknowledged that Nick Ut was the photographer who took the iconic image.
The Controversy Surrounding the AP Photo
The controversy surrounding the AP photo began when an AP photo editor spoke out about the provenance of the photo. This lack of vetting led to concerns about the authenticity of the photo, which sparked a heated debate among journalists and media professionals.
The Discovery of the Lost Photo
The discovery of the lost photo is a remarkable story that highlights the power of human determination and perseverance. In 2019, a team of filmmakers from the documentary series “The Vietnam War” stumbled upon an old photograph while researching the Vietnam War. The photograph, which was taken in 1972, showed a young girl standing in front of a bombed-out building in Hanoi, Vietnam. The filmmakers were intrigued by the image and decided to investigate further. The photograph was taken by a Vietnamese freelance photographer, Nguyen Thanh Nghe, who was working for a local newspaper at the time. The photograph was taken during the Vietnam War, a conflict that lasted from 1955 to 1975. The photograph shows a young girl standing in front of a bombed-out building in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The Investigation
The filmmakers began to investigate the photograph, trying to identify the photographer and the circumstances surrounding its creation. They scoured the internet, consulted with experts, and even visited Vietnam to search for clues. After months of research, they finally discovered the identity of the photographer, Nguyen Thanh Nghe. He was born in 1947 and grew up in Hanoi, Vietnam.
He was worried that the photo would be seen as a threat to his position as a journalist.
The Context of the Photograph
The photograph in question is a picture of a young girl, likely between the age of 10 and 15, sitting in a chair, looking directly at the camera. The girl is wearing a traditional Vietnamese dress, and her hair is styled in a traditional Vietnamese manner. The photograph was taken in the 1960s, during the height of the Vietnam War. The photograph was taken by a photographer who was working for the Associated Press (AP) at the time. The photograph was part of a series of images that the photographer took during the Vietnam War. The photograph was not widely known until many years later, when it was rediscovered and reprinted in a book.
The Significance of the Photograph
The photograph is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it is a powerful representation of the human cost of war. The girl in the photograph is a victim of the war, and her image serves as a reminder of the devastating impact that conflict has on civilians. The photograph is also significant because it challenges the traditional narrative of the Vietnam War. The photograph shows a young girl, rather than a soldier, as the central figure in the image.
Ut’s lawyer Jim Hornstein told AFP that Robinson had a “50-year vendetta against Nick Ut, AP and Horst Faas,” and said “a defamation action will soon be filed against the film makers.” In the documentary, Nghe’s family say he consistently spoke at home of his regret about losing credit for the photo. Nghe says: “I felt upset. I worked hard for it, but that guy got to have it all. He got recognition, he got awards.” Nguyen, the film’s director, said the idea that the family are “only now are speaking up… is sort of a fallacy. “Within their own circles, they’ve been saying this for so long,” Nguyen said.
The Investigation Begins
The filmmakers hired a non-profit organization that specializes in forensic investigations to review the footage. The non-profit’s team of experts analyzed the video and concluded that it is “highly unlikely” that Ut was in the right position to take the photo. This finding suggests that the photo was likely taken by someone else, which raises questions about the authenticity of the image. Key points from the non-profit’s investigation:
- The photo was taken from a unique vantage point that is not typical of the scene. The camera’s angle and lighting are inconsistent with the surrounding environment. The image shows a clear view of the surrounding area, including a tree and a building, which is not possible from Ut’s position. ## The Implications of the Investigation
- The case may be reopened, and new evidence may be sought. The credibility of the witnesses and the investigation may be called into question. The authenticity of the image may be disputed, leading to further investigation and potential retrials. ## The Future of the Case
The Implications of the Investigation
The non-profit’s findings have significant implications for the case. If the photo was taken by someone else, it could be evidence of a conspiracy or a deliberate attempt to mislead the investigation. This raises questions about the credibility of the evidence and the reliability of the witnesses. Potential consequences of the investigation’s findings:
The Future of the Case
The non-profit’s investigation has sparked a new wave of interest in the case, and the filmmakers are now considering new avenues of investigation. The case remains open, and the filmmakers are working to uncover the truth behind the mysterious photo.
“We cannot state more clearly that The Associated Press is only interested in the facts and a truthful history of this iconic photo.” (AFP)
