The Untold Story Behind One of the 20th Century’s Most Iconic Photos
Table of Contents
- 1. The Untold Story Behind One of the 20th Century’s Most Iconic Photos
- 2. What evidence does Nguyen Thanh Nghe provide to support his claim that he took the photograph “The Terror of War”?
- 3. The Untold story Behind “The Terror of War”: An Exclusive Interview with Nguyen Thanh Nghe
- 4. Mr. Nghe, thank you for speaking with us. Can you tell us about the day you captured the iconic image of Phan Thi Kim Phuc running from the napalm attack?
- 5. The documentary “The Stringer” alleges that you sold the photograph to the AP for a relatively small sum. Can you elaborate on that?
Yes, that’s true. Back then, photographers like myself were often paid very little for our work.It was a difficult time, and I was just trying to make a living. I sold the photo to the AP,and I thought that was the end of it. I never imagined it would become such a famous image.
Why did you choose to come forward with your story after all these years?
- 6. The AP vehemently denies your claims, stating that Nick Ut took the photograph. what is your response to that?
I understand their position, but the truth is undeniable. I was there. I took the picture. I have nothing to gain by making these claims. My only motivation is to set the record straight.
This controversy raises crucial questions about photographic attribution and the complexities of truth in a world saturated with visual information. What message do you hope to convey to the world?
For decades, the world has known Nick Ut as the photographer behind “The Terror of War,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning image of a young Vietnamese girl fleeing a napalm attack. But a new documentary, “The Stringer,” throws this narrative into question, claiming that the photo was actually taken by freelance photographer Nguyen Thanh Nghe.
Nghe, who worked as a driver for a foreign news team in 1972, claims he captured the image of Phan thi Kim Phuc running naked and screaming on June 8th.According to Nghe,he sold the photograph to the Associated Press (AP) for approximately 20 euros.
Adding weight to Nghe’s story, Carl Robinson, a former AP photo editor, reveals in the documentary that he was instructed by his superiors to credit Nick Ut as the photographer. “I have worn this last for fifty years and never came out with it,” robinson confesses. “Simply put: Nick Ut did not really take that famous photo.”
robinson, now 81, explains his silence, stating, “I wanted to apologize to Nghe before my death.” However, Nghe’s reasons for coming forward after half a century remain unclear.
The documentary’s creators spent two years meticulously researching the photograph, interviewing numerous witnesses, and engaging a forensic team. Their examination concluded that nick Ut’s physical presence at the scene during the photograph’s capture was highly improbable.
Despite these claims, both Nick Ut and the AP vehemently deny Nghe’s assertions. AP conducted its own six-month investigation, stating confidently that there is no doubt about the photo’s origin.
This controversy raises profound questions about photographic attribution, past accuracy, and the complexities of truth in a world saturated with visual information. While the debate continues, Nghe’s story sheds light on the frequently enough-hidden realities behind iconic images, reminding us that even seemingly settled narratives can be challenged and rewritten.
What evidence does Nguyen Thanh Nghe provide to support his claim that he took the photograph “The Terror of War”?
The Untold story Behind “The Terror of War”: An Exclusive Interview with Nguyen Thanh Nghe
For decades, Nick ut has been credited with capturing “the Terror of War,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning image of a young Vietnamese girl fleeing a napalm attack. However, a new documentary, “The Stringer,” alleges that the photo was actually taken by freelance photographer Nguyen Thanh Nghe. Nghe, who worked as a driver for a foreign news team in 1972, claims he sold the photograph to the Associated Press (AP) for approximately 20 euros. We spoke exclusively with Nghe to learn more about his story.
Mr. Nghe, thank you for speaking with us. Can you tell us about the day you captured the iconic image of Phan Thi Kim Phuc running from the napalm attack?
It was a chaotic scene, filled with smoke and screams. I was driving for a news team when we heard the reports of the attack. we rushed to the scene, and that’s when I saw her, the little girl, running naked and terrified. I instinctively raised my camera and took the picture. It was a moment that will forever be etched in my memory.
The documentary “The Stringer” alleges that you sold the photograph to the AP for a relatively small sum. Can you elaborate on that?
Yes, that’s true. Back then, photographers like myself were often paid very little for our work.It was a difficult time, and I was just trying to make a living. I sold the photo to the AP,and I thought that was the end of it. I never imagined it would become such a famous image.
Why did you choose to come forward with your story after all these years?
That’s a question I’ve been asked many times. Perhaps it’s simply a matter of time. Perhaps I felt it was finally the right moment to set the record straight. I’ve carried this secret for too long, and it’s weighed heavily on my conscience.
The AP vehemently denies your claims, stating that Nick Ut took the photograph. what is your response to that?
I understand their position, but the truth is undeniable. I was there. I took the picture. I have nothing to gain by making these claims. My only motivation is to set the record straight.
This controversy raises crucial questions about photographic attribution and the complexities of truth in a world saturated with visual information. What message do you hope to convey to the world?
I hope that my story serves as a reminder that even seemingly settled narratives can be challenged. It’s critically important to question everything, to seek out multiple perspectives, and to be critical of the information we consume. We must always strive for truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
I understand their position, but the truth is undeniable. I was there. I took the picture. I have nothing to gain by making these claims. My only motivation is to set the record straight.
This controversy raises crucial questions about photographic attribution and the complexities of truth in a world saturated with visual information. What message do you hope to convey to the world?
I hope that my story serves as a reminder that even seemingly settled narratives can be challenged. It’s critically important to question everything, to seek out multiple perspectives, and to be critical of the information we consume. We must always strive for truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
