Sky Arte documentary traces the journey of iconic Vietnam War photo 'Napalm Girl'

Sky Arte will premiere the documentary 'Napalm Girl – Il viaggio di una fotografia' on Sunday, June 8, exploring the before and after of one of the 20th century's most iconic photographs. The image, taken on June 8, 1972, shows nine-year-old Kim Phuc running naked and screaming after a napalm attack during the Vietnam War. Fifty years later, Phuc has become a peace activist. The documentary, produced by 3D Produzioni in collaboration with Rai Cultura, follows Phuc and photographer Nick Ut as they travel to Italy for a 2022 exhibition in Milan dedicated to Ut's work, titled 'From Hell to Hollywood' at Palazzo Lombardia. From Milan, they go to Rome and the Vatican, where they gift a signed copy of the photograph to Pope Francis. The film features contributions from journalist Francesca Mannocchi, war reporter Bernardo Valli, photography critic Michele Smargiassi, and photographers Steve McCurry, Ferdinando Scianna, and Franco Pagetti. It blends archival TV footage, Ut's Associated Press photographs, and additional material from the Milan exhibition, which was curated by Thanh Thao Ly Thi and Sergio Mandelli and promoted by Regione Lombardia. The documentary also reflects on how the image revolutionized conflict storytelling and how war journalism has been transformed by new technologies.