After watching this film dozens of times, it finally clicked that Luther was an American GI in Communist East Berlin when he meets Hansel/Hedwig outdoors tanning. Would that have been possible?
We know Hansel/Hedwig didn't jump the wall just for a little sun and then go back home to his mother, so he is certainly on the East side.
It seems Hedwig was near the Wall, though. Or was that just rubble?
shareYes, Hansel describes the smell of the West as we see the Golden Arches of McDonalds rising above the Wall. I always he assumed he was tanning on bombed-out ruins as near the the West as he could be while still being in the East.
Perhaps Luther found a secret tunnel under the wall, crossed to the East, went merrily around town to Hansel's mother's apartment in full American GI uniform and remained completely undetected by the enemy. I hope he got a medal for his ingenuity, if so.
I am SO confused.
In the documentary, they mentioned that American soldiers were able to go through to both sides of the wall. I guess if they had the correct clearance or something. I'm not positive, but that's what was said in the doc. American soldiers could go to the other side, thats how Luther met Hansel.
shareCorrect,The United States Command Berlin published detailed instructions for U.S. military and civilian personnel wishing to visit East Berlin.
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