A Cuban Prostitute Talks Straight To My Crew In 1991 Havana

[@EddyOfTheMaelstrom]

Dang, David. You really have documented history in every single aspect of human life.

[@Andrea-xs4ny]

Awesome stuff, David! I spent some time in Cuba in the 80s. There was absolute separation of Cubans and tourists. Separate stores, separate restaurants, separate hotels, separate everything. I had to show my passport when I entered hotels and stores to prove I was not Cuban. At some point, I was approached by some young people my age and we hung out for several weeks. I had to pass as Cuban when I was with them, so I wouldn't get them in trouble, but we were actually followed several times and, one time, we were stopped by an undercover police who asked for everyone's identification/papers (they were required to carry them at all times). I pretended like I had left mine at home. It was a heart-stopping time. The cousin of one of the guys I was with had actually spent time in prison for spending time with a tourist. I learned so much about their lives. I even fell in love. sigh We wrote mad, passionate letters to one another for a couple of years, which he usually received heavily-redacted by the police, who opened mail from overseas, before passing it on to the recipient. We tried to figure out how to get him off the island. His father was a police officer and very loyal to Castro, so it was a very fraught time, and he had to keep me a secret. Over time, it fizzled out. Anyways, my time there changed me. I saw utter despair, especially among the young people, who had no hope for their future, and were told whether or not they were going to college, what they were going to study, and where they would work. They had ration cards which limited their milk, butter, bread, meat, clothing, etc. And the pay. Omigosh, the pay was not even sustainable. The housing was falling down, in disrepair, and everything was jerry-rigged from any piece of metal, plastic, or tape they could find. Nothing could be replaced new or fixed properly because of the expense. I became so depressed seeing so many hopeless people and situations. My parents and a lot of my family fled Central Europe after the Russians invaded. The life for my family members who stayed was in stark contrast to those who fled. Any government that doesn't let its people leave is evil! Thank you for sharing, David! All the best!

[@JulieH819]

Thank you for sharing.

[@Andrea-xs4ny]

@@JulieH819 My pleasure. I'm afraid I wrote a small novel. It was not my intention. :-(

[@D33Lux]

@@Andrea-xs4ny This was powerful. Reading that is humbling and a reminder for those who live in free nations to be grateful for the lives they have, and that freedoms must be protected at all costs. Thank-you, I hope you're living a good life, with health and prosperity.

[@mariarodrigues2674]

all this happend because the US is an imperial cruel country worse them russia Freed Cuba ! freed palestina

[@Andrea-xs4ny]

@@D33Lux Thank you and I wish the same for you! The kind of life I saw in Cuba is the reason my parents left everything they knew and escaped from behind the Iron Curtain.

[@B_Bodziak]

David, You have had some incredible, incredible experiences. My work took me around the globe for 3 decades, but I was not fortunate enough to get to really know the people like you have been able to do. Love to see you living your dreams!

[@rosalindr4975]

Thank you for sharing. My mom’s doctor is from Cuba. He is an amazing man and he cherishes his freedoms in America.

[@drewpall2598]

What you have experience in your lifetime as filmmaker is extraordinary, the stories you have tolled and can tell are pure gold. Thanks, David Hoffman, for sharing a part of your life with us. 😊

[@Sweetcnj01829]

Thanks for bringing us many perspectives of life.

[@manuelarg1981]

What a treat to have James Earl Jones as narrator

[@AkumaAPN]

"Every day, we're going backwards." Sounds familiar today.

[@suegeew9727]

I've seen a few documentaries about Cuba but this piece and your commentary pretty much says it all. It had to be a hard life in Cuba particularly at that time.

[@D33Lux]

1991 was a along time ago, but when one lived it, it seems just like yesterday. Life goes by so fast!

[@stst77]

Someone in the comment section who has been there recently said nothing has changed since then. It’s still the same.

[@randybloomfield5090]

Interesting, more please. Love your videos 👍

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Please become a subscriber if you are not already one. And consider membership. By clicking the join button below the video screen. And I do seek support for my continued efforts from my patrons - www.patreon.com/allinaday. thank you Randy. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@ProoGameR43]

End the embargo. That would help Cuba a lot. We all know though that helping Cuba is something that we only want to do at face value in the west.

[@agingerbeard]

Everyone knows the ball is in Cuba's court to end the embargo. We help thousands of Cubans every year, but of course it's convenient for you to say that we just don't care. Nothing could be further from the truth.

[@mousc460]

​@@agingerbeard Yeah, I don't get why Cuba refuses to submit to U.S colonialism? Puerto Rico did, never mind it's treated like a red-headed stepchild.

[@NaderNabilart]

US embargos and sanctions are the second worst thing the US does to torture citizens of other countries, only second to military interventions.

[@agingerbeard]

@@mousc460 I'm not sure you know the definition of colonialism 😅🤷‍♂️

[@TiananmenPrism]

​@@agingerbeard ever heard of neo-colonialism? Google it

[@B_Bodziak]

2:30 I don't know if the "rewards [were] worth the risks" or if there was simply no other available options for them.

[@rosalindr4975]

Doubt they felt they had any other “opportunity “

[@dankingjr.2088]

I have a real desire to go see Cuba while it's still Cuba. I speak decent Spanish. Get some local clothes and go see it, because when the West finally goes back in there, they will Disney-ize it instantly.

[@Burnincyclon3]

Walking through Habana was an incredible experience. This video isn't depictive of current day Cuba, but I wasn't really in this kind of scene to be fair.

[@VideoDotGoogleDotCom]

I know how you feel. I'm saddened by the fact that whereas in the not so distant past, most places seemed to have their own thing going, today... you'll find the same products, the same fashion, even many same expressions when you travel. Obviously there is still a lot of original flavor in different areas, but something has definitely changed.

[@RavenNl403]

Wow, interesting. Thanks for sharing David ❤

[@JJoh4040]

David, do you have the full documentary of Cuba available (the one mentioned in the description)?

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

I have not posted as yet. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@JJoh4040]

@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker cant wait to see it! Cubas story hasn't been told.

[@JJoh4040]

@@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker Do you know when it'll be available?

[@bl0pez772]

Is the version without the English voice over available?

[@sili1429]

Thank you, David. Where may I see the full documentary?

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Search the word "Cuba" on my KZbin channel and you will see up to one hour of the two hour program. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@Gee777]

Very interesting.. thanks, David, for sharing. It's 2023 and how far have they come?

[@Corey_Lee_Slater]

They're still there in Cuba I believe.

[@Gee777]

@@Corey_Lee_Slater society is a reflection of their leaders.

[@BassForever44]

The commentary on the girls risking everything for gettong out repeats itself in pretty much everywhere with a crappy living standard. Coastal area all around latinamerica and beyond are exactly the same.

[@ritaakalele4801]

I'd rather be homeless and starve to death than sell my body. 😢😢😢

[@drewpall2598]

@Rita aka lele... May you never know what it like to be homeless and without food during your lifetime. 🙏

[@ritaakalele4801]

@@drewpall2598 I'm certainly not judging my heart breaks for them I would love to save them and take them away from all that just in general. 😩😣❤️ I certainly didn't grow up ideal I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth my family struggled but it has made me humble. I just wish I could help.

[@drewpall2598]

@@ritaakalele4801 Thanks Rita for your reply comment, I know your heart is in the right place. do take care! 😊✌🧡

[@mito88]

you'd rather, however, reality rears its ugly head.

[@RiaKnight]

DAVID HOFFMAN, Is there anything you have NOT filmed? WOW. 👏👏👏

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

100 million stories I have not filmed. Everyone has stories just about. But not everyone can tell a good story. I can teach people how and I have done that my whole professional career. Plenty more to record Ria. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@D33Lux]

I've had a couple of Cuban friends in my life, absolutely wonderful people. Its such a tragedy to know there are still people suffering in Cuba. There is one particular youtube channel of a couple who left Cuba. They share their experiences doing things for the first time, like going to a supermarket, Best Buy, Baseball game...etc in the United States. Those of us who live in free nations don't realize how lucky we are, and that freedoms for all must be protected at all costs. The channel is called Yoel and Mari.

[@mito88]

protected at all costs? how far are you willing to go? free countries such as haiti, bolivia, peru and so many other bastions of freedom, democracy, god, etc.... lucky them.

[@troubleshooter166]

Like B Bodziak, appreciate you sharing what you observed & learned about people around the world😂

[@johno3288]

Very interesting story from the lady in your car.

[@johnjaco5544]

The only thing free,is cheese on the trap.

[@cheri238]

This is not David Hoffman's Channel.

[@VideoDotGoogleDotCom]

Glad I found this channel a few months ago. I wonder how that lady is doing today. She'd probably be in her fifties. But who knows... She could have been hit by a car the very next day. Such is life.

[@daman7387]

this dude is like that photographer from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

[@jjeverson2269]

I always say. Dave has seen some shit. Fascinating

[@moonlightfitz]

that’s interesting.

[@matthewfarmer2520]

A Cuban prostitute talks straight to my crew in 1991, they say what are you people like you doing here filming us, this is something nobody should know 😆 just kidding David. Thanks for sharing this video interesting as always. I do appreciate these older films in your personal collection. 🎥🎞️🙂👍 You take care 🙏

[@riverbender9898]

Sadly, their situations have, most certainly, not improved

[@natalyapanteleyeva7062]

Sounds like they were still holding out. The economy was tanking rapidly in the 80s overseas from them. The U.S.S.R. was not more open to the foreigners. Tourists were kept separately. Have you been to Haiti, David?

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

I have never been to Haiti although I would like to go. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@stst77]

Andrew Gold recently did an interview with a woman who works in Haiti. The things the people and medical community do to children is just plain evil. It’s a massive problem.

[@mito88]

the helms-burnt act....

[@allisonlopez5089]

Life is difficult and dangerous

[@iloveabbie12]

But do you understand?

[@johngregor294]

God help me. I understand.

[@cherylcallahan5402]

DAVID HOFFMANN

[@claudiocorbellini865]

The miracle of comunism

[@claudiocorbellini865]

@@parkerwynne1341 and on the democratic republic of germany was also the embargo? And in the China of Mao? Or the Venezuela of chaves and maduro? The etc is very long. I bet u dont lived or live in a comunist country. Tell me if im wrong

[@greyone40]

@@claudiocorbellini865 You are not wrong. If the problem is the embargo (meaning no trade with the USA), then communist Cuba is not having their resources exploited by outside interests. If their communist government was so good, then they would be doing just fine. Socialism requires an outside source in order to survive.

[@mito88]

haiti, bolivia, mexico, peru and so many other miracles, right?

[@omegatafkal]

Prostitution should be illegal

[@stst77]

I’m sure it is illegal in Cuba.

[@omegatafkal]

@@stst77 because the West is decadent

[@mito88]

​@@omegatafkal rhetoric

[@Fush1234]

No. I don’t understand.

[@Zettoman]

the eternal dilemma, today seen in girls choosing onlyfans.

[@stst77]

The difference though is this woman turned to prostitution because of imposed poverty in a communist country. While onlyfan girls do it so they can buy a luxury handbag and name brand clothes. I am not justifying her prostitution. She had a job like her friends so she could have kept that but as she said there is little food and life is hard living that way. Prostitution allows her to temporarily have a better life. I don’t think the trade off is worth it but her circumstances are different than an onlyfans girl.