The Stringer

In person: Q&A with filmmaker Bao Nguyen, producer Terri Lichstein, line producer Jenni Trang Le, moderated by UCLA Assistant Professor Thuy Vo Dang, Information Studies and Asian American Studies. Introduction by Archive Director May Hong HaDuong.

Through unprecedented on-the-ground access, journalists brought the Vietnam War to the living rooms of a global audience. Public outcry and resistance grew as brutal and bloody images reached the homes of millions. One of the most recognizable images taken during the conflict, “The Terror of War,” featured a young, unclothed girl running following a napalm attack. The photograph would become a turning point for the hearts and minds of the world, earning photographer Nick Út a Pulitzer Prize. Decades later, Bao Nguyen’s gripping film documents a possible revelation of the photograph’s long-held secret and the chain reaction that follows. A story of record unravels through forensic tools, first-hand accounts, and an emotional, climactic reunion. Premiering at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, The Stringer sparked controversy in the photojournalism world, raising questions about the editorial power structures that propelled the stature of some photographers over the obscurity of others. Following the screening, filmmaker Bao Nguyen, producer Terri Lichstein, and line producer Jenni Trang Le will discuss the two-year journey of the making of The Stringer.

DCP. Director: Bao Nguyen. Producers: Terri Lichstein and Fiona Turner. With: Gary Knight and Nguyễn Thành Nghệ.