Lucas Garve, CPI
HAVANA, August (www.cubanet.org) - When Cubans turn to video tapes to evade
the predictable offerings in the two official TV channels, they have two
options: the government-run Videocentros, and semi-clandestine,
neighborhood-based private entrepreneurs who operate what they have come to call
"video banks."
The Videocentros can be found in the better stores and always within the
dollar economy. Rental prices are one dollar per tape for recent movies, with
simultaneous rentals earning a slight discount. Still, at an official exchange
rate of 26 pesos to the dollar, a one-night rental comes to a little more than a
tenth of the average monthly wage of 250 pesos.The Videocentros have more
upscale fare, but not necessarily what the people want. They do, however,
prominently display the HBO series The Sopranos.
The video banks offer a more eclectic selection. There are recent movies,
many pirated off satellite transmissions, complete with pay-per-view logo and
directions for payment. The variety shows and lurid talk shows now popular
elsewhere are becoming known to Cubans as they are taped off broadcast signals
from Miami or Latin America. Soap operas round out the bill. The going rate is
five pesos per night.
One woman turned necessity into opportunity. With two teenagers in the
house, she says "At first I would rent videos for them, but we were
spending money, money, money, every day. So I started a video bank at home."
"Of course, this is only in the neighborhood, in confidence, because
they dont want the private video banks. Yet, they rent them in the dollar
stores. Go figure."
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