The Stringer

Watched at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

Despite a familiar structure and themes of the Vietnam War, Bao Nguyen still opens up a new exploration and journey on discussing the background of one of the most famous Vietnam War photos known as the Napalm Girl. Provided with interesting participant discussions and direction structure, Nguyen does a good job doing a form of journalism work on exploring the origins and misunderstandings of the well-known photo. Going through the past and present to explain the historical moments and themes. It helps to understand the context of the war period, knowing of the troubles of the war and how the works of journalism is proceed.

Regarding structure, it's solidly well made. However the documentary does over stays it's welcome as certain moments felt as if repeated with it's facts and certain concepts that didn't really wowed me. Mainly because having done a lot of research of the Vietnam War and backgrounds, it didn't hit too close with me as I would have liked.

Otherwise, I applaud Bao Nguyen for creating this documentary.