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American pop culture is so widespread that it would almost be impossible to find an inhabited patch of land not affected by it. Coming from movies, books, the internet, and other mediums, the idea of the "American Dream" is most likely familiar to lots of people around the world, affecting the way one sees Americans and their lifestyle. 

How people from other countries actually view Americans is revealed by one group in Poland called 4th of July LARP (live-action role-playing). It is a slice-of-life project where people roleplay as contemporary Americans acting out various scenarios that they imagine happening in the United States during their Independence Day. 

As the group describes on their Facebook page, the 4th of July LARP is a drama about squandering the American dream. "On July 4, 1776, the United States declared independence. The newcomers from the Old Continent wanted to create a new state in America, built on democracy, freedom and equality. More than two hundred years later, many Americans live under conditions different from what the nation's founding fathers imagined. Barely making ends meet, striving to be family members and worthy Americans despite poverty and exclusion. Although they live on the fringes of society, their home - a small town lined with caravans and shaky houses - is for them the essence of the 'land of the free and the home of the brave'. This is a story about them."

 More info: Facebook

#1

Poland Holds An Event On 4th Of July Where Everyone Pretends To Be American From Ohio

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David Naessens
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I went through all the photos and it is now a goal in life to spend a 4th of July with these people!

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The 4th of July LARP group has been organizing LARPs for years now and is constantly looking for interesting and important topics. "Many great blockbuster LARPs are in fantasy or sci-fi settings - this time we wanted to make a game in a contemporary environment with an illusion of actually being there. While scouting for locations, we found an inexpensive holiday resort full of mobile homes - a site you won’t often see in Poland. It reminded us of an American trailer park and we decided to make that the core theme of our game."

#2

Poland Holds An Event On 4th Of July Where Everyone Pretends To Be American From Ohio

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Emily Ward
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So mostly you are larping as white trash? Honestly these are super entertaining and I'm glad ya’ll are having fun! Love it lol

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Even though they are Polish, they all grew up surrounded by American pop culture and are familiar with the idea of the "American Dream". "We’ve used the visual language and widely known archetypes to create a setting of a trailer park in the USA. From the very beginning, we aimed to be respectful toward people living in low-income neighborhoods and approach the topic with sensitivity and respect."

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The organizers stressed that this project is not in any way a comedy or a pastiche, but a slice-of-life drama type of LARP. "We stayed away from comedy (like Trailer Park Boys) or supernatural elements (like Stranger Things), taking inspiration from documentaries, books, and movies touching on this subject in a slightly different way (f.e. Hillbilly Elegy, Nomadland, etc.)."

"Our LARP explores the mythos of the American Dream - or more so the Broken American Dream. Players experience human stories, portraying characters with unique backgrounds. They face their daily life and the issues that come with it. Some are universal or similar to the ones in Poland (such as struggling to provide for your family or combating addiction), and some are specific to the U.S. (such as reliance on private health care or the prevalence of firearms). We wanted to create an immersive experience about facing those hardships both as an individual and as a community, about making impossible choices, about finding your place in your small homeland."

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#12

Poland Holds An Event On 4th Of July Where Everyone Pretends To Be American From Ohio

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Sydney-Kate
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it’s kinda funny that this whole thing is them pretending to be American and it’s so not accurate and yet so freaking accurate at the same time 😂😂😂😂

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#15

Poland Holds An Event On 4th Of July Where Everyone Pretends To Be American From Ohio

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Sarah nashold
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the closest one so far but the watch is too nice. Looks too happy too. You really have to be depressed

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#18

Poland Holds An Event On 4th Of July Where Everyone Pretends To Be American From Ohio

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Douglas Turner
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm puttin' all you people on report. Especially you, pal. You just made the list.

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#25

Poland Holds An Event On 4th Of July Where Everyone Pretends To Be American From Ohio

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Emily Carter
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Accurate to American Sitcom aesthetic in that a pudgy man-baby's, for somehow, snagged himself a woman 10,000x more attractive than he is. The universe caters to male fantasy. What's more American than that?

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#27

Poland Holds An Event On 4th Of July Where Everyone Pretends To Be American From Ohio

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Catherine Binder
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, the vet in uniform despite not being currently serving. Seen a few too many of these.

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#29

Poland Holds An Event On 4th Of July Where Everyone Pretends To Be American From Ohio

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ace axolotl (she/her)
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

no but also the blueberries and raspberries over your vanilla ice cream to make it festive

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#31

Poland Holds An Event On 4th Of July Where Everyone Pretends To Be American From Ohio

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Sue Sanders
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uh - not sure. Maybe trying to decide on whether to protest or not? Or go hang out at the next beer joint? Or heard that Johnny Depp is down the street and try to get an autograph?

#35

Poland Holds An Event On 4th Of July Where Everyone Pretends To Be American From Ohio

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Emily Carter
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So many of these are too "on the nose" 2 b convincing,but maybe "convincing" isn't what they were goi g 4

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#40

Poland Holds An Event On 4th Of July Where Everyone Pretends To Be American From Ohio

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Dirk Daring
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While everybody else went for the "Kentucky Hillbilly" look, she went straight for "Ten dollar Vegas streetwalker"

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#41

Poland Holds An Event On 4th Of July Where Everyone Pretends To Be American From Ohio

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Amy S
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Guy obviously injured his hand from setting off fireworks

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#43

Poland Holds An Event On 4th Of July Where Everyone Pretends To Be American From Ohio

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#44

Poland Holds An Event On 4th Of July Where Everyone Pretends To Be American From Ohio

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Sue Sanders
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah - America, sixty years past. Good old vinyl, feathers in the hair, psychedelic album covers. Now go on inside and smoke a doobie.

#45

Poland Holds An Event On 4th Of July Where Everyone Pretends To Be American From Ohio

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Sue Sanders
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like a Midwestern country boy and his restaurant waitress girlfriend out on a noon walk.

#46

Poland Holds An Event On 4th Of July Where Everyone Pretends To Be American From Ohio

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Sara Sanders
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah, goth people aren't that patriotic, nor do they participate in such extravagant celebrations, especially with a slight smile.

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#50

Poland Holds An Event On 4th Of July Where Everyone Pretends To Be American From Ohio

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Sue Sanders
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Man, this could be anything. College fan girl with gay girl and a pot of quiche and Brussels sprouts and lit candles for - I dunno. Gimme a hint?

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