The Stringer

THE STRINGER

THE STRINGER, a documentary film by Vietnamese American director Bao Nguyen, was produced and reported by The VII Foundation with production partners XRM Media. It premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, and with 250 press reviews and stories, it is one of the most reviewed films in the festival’s history.

When a whistleblower comes forward with a shocking admission, The VII Foundation Executive Director Gary Knight and a small team of award-winning journalists embark on an intricate journey of truth-seeking. A two-year investigation uncovers a scandal behind the taking of one of the most iconic photographs of the 20th century — the “napalm girl.” A fifty-year-old narrative is upturned, and decades of secrets are unraveled in the search for justice for a man known only as “the stringer.” Within the film’s investigation, the culture of the commonplace exploitation of freelance and local journalists in war reporting is exposed.

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ABOUT

“Over the past two years, I have been working with a team of journalists at The VII Foundation and in Vietnam on an investigation into the veracity of the authorship of one of the most iconic images of the 20th century, or indeed, of any century. That investigation was documented by the Vietnamese American film director Bao Nguyen.

“What we uncovered speaks to the heart of what is most important in our profession. The film grapples with questions of authorship, racial injustice, and journalistic ethics while shining a light on the fundamental yet often unrecognized contributions of local freelancers who provide the information we need to understand how events worldwide impact us all.

“This is a story that many people in our profession did not want told, and some of them continue to go to great lengths to make sure it isn’t told. But regardless of the passage of time and however inconvenient it might be, nothing should stall the pursuit of truth in journalism because we are obliged to hold ourselves to account if we seek to hold everyone else to account. There is an old adage that journalism is ‘the first draft of history’, sometimes it takes a second draft to set the record straight.

“As one of the legendary Vietnamese journalists we spoke to told us: “There’s nothing more important than the truth. When the truth is disregarded, that’s when society becomes corrupted. (The truth) cannot be twisted, or torn apart, because if so, it’s no longer the truth and we will have lost our moral compass.”

“We are honored that The Stringer has premiered this month at the Sundance Film Festival. Please watch this space for further information on our investigation and the film itself.”

Gary Knight
Executive Director

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

When I first encountered the events that underpin the story in our film THE STRINGER, I was profoundly shocked. The revelations were startling, compelling a confrontation with uncomfortable truths that challenge our historical narratives and push against our comfort zones.

Activist and actress America Ferrera once articulated that the notion of giving voice to the voiceless is flawed, for these voices have never truly been silent – rather, they have been ignored. This powerful sentiment forms the backbone of our film’s narrative.

The central figures of our film, intrepid journalists like Gary Knight, have tirelessly fought for the truth to be recognized in the course of 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.

As a filmmaker, I find myself at a crucial intersection of discovery and obligation. The ultimate impact and reception of this truth are uncertain, but my obligation is unequivocal: to share these narratives that challenge, unveil, and expose the intricacies of our actions as fellow human beings and the impact it has had on history.

THE STRINGER invites audiences on a journey that transcends a mere quest for justice – it is an exploration of understanding and acknowledgment. It’s a reminder of how essential listening is to our collective humanity, urging us to engage with stories that demand attention and reflection.

Bao Nguyen
Director, The Stringer

SYNOPSIS

A courageous whistleblower steps forward with a shocking admission, setting off a gripping two-year investigation into five decades of buried secrets behind one of the Vietnam War’s most iconic photographs. Acclaimed war photographer Gary Knight and journalists Fiona Turner, Terri Lichstein, and Lê Vân embark on a relentless search to locate and seek justice for a man known only as “the stringer.”

In his latest feature documentary, THE STRINGER, Sundance alum Bao Nguyen (The Greatest Night in Pop, Be Water) takes audiences on a thrilling hunt for the truth. Along the way, the film grapples with questions of authorship, racial injustice, and journalistic ethics while shining a light on the vital yet often unrecognized contributions of freelance photographers in shaping the media landscape.

– SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL