Working as a freelance photojournalist for the German magazine 'Quick', McCullin travelled to the Congo to cover the rebellion by supporters of the murdered President Lumumba. Taking many personal risks he managed to enter Stanleyville, disguised as a mercenary, despite all journalists having been banned. This photograph shows a mercenary, who had been hired to support the Congolese government, with a Congolese family in a village near Stanleyville. The aim was to interrogate villagers and the composition of this photograph conveys this instantly. There is an atmosphere of uneasiness and interruption, and the mercenary looks very out of place with his gun and dirty uniform.