CHRIST THE KING'S STATUE

Vũng Tàu, Vietnam, 2008 - Leica M7, Summicron 28, Kodak Tri-X * After I climbed like a pilgrim some 847 steps under a scorching sun, I reached the base of the divine statue which stands with outstretched arms perched on the hill overlooking the ocean. Then I climbed up the monumental statue, 133 stairs more to the top. That is when an ill-mannered youngster jostled me in the narrow spiral stairs to reach the right shoulder of the statue for watching the panorama of the city and the surrounding sea. Though only one person could stand there, I arranged to shoot this double portrait on this cramped shoulder. Not everyone can say they’ve climbed a 32-meter tall Jesus with two outstretched arms spanning 18 meters. Built in 1974, the statue of Christ the King was completed in 1993. Catholics who make up 7 to 10 per cent only of Vietnam’s population, i.e. 7 to 10 million, are deemed to be oppressed by the regime.