In the new demilitarized (kinda) Germany, a lone Stormtrooper begs for cash -- fetching a bargain one Euro to pose with tourists.
SUBMITTED BY: Dave Pryke LOCATION: East Berlin, Germany (2009)
When President Ronald Reagan dreamed of his Star Wars defense plan, this is not exactly what he had in mind.
Filmmaker Dave Pryke encountered a lone Stormtrooper from Darth Vader’s legendary 501st Legion guarding the Brandenburg Gate, which stands just outside the site of the demolished Berlin Wall.
The Stormtrooper, who poses for tourist photos at the bargain basement price of one Euro ( $1.41 ), is standing in East Berlin, looking back at the West. As a bonus, he is within spitting distance of the Hotel Adlon Kempinski, where Michael Jackson infamously dangled his baby from a balcony.
ATTENTION TROOPS OF THE 501st LEGION AND OTHER STAR WARS FANS:
Have you invaded any tourist sites lately? Tacky Tourist Photos is seeking to compile a special tribute to Stormtroopers marching down the Las Vegas Strip, Princess Leias sauntering in Milan and Wookies doing the hula in Hawaii.
Click here for more information on submitting your favorite photos!
(Dave Pryke is a photojournalist and filmmaker working on a documentary about the Berlin Wall).
IMPORTANT UPDATE (2:30 p.m. Aug. 19th) — We have been informed by a member of Darth Vader’s 501st Legion that Legionaires are only allowed to charge money for pictures if the proceeds go to charity. We do not believe this was the case for this German Stormtrooper, and thus it is unlikely he is a member of the 501st. We apologize for the confusion and encourage you to donate generously at your next local philanthropic event.
Yea, judging by the uniform he’s wearing, he surely is an impostor. I mean, just look at the shin guards. He’s ready to play some old school soccer. We don’t like impostor’s of the Star Wars franchise.
The helmet is a dead give away also. haha
The 501st thanks you for the correction!