Mecaniqueros - Nichts ist unmöglich in Havanna

Havana's Mecaniqueros are young private entrepreneurs in the country of real existing socialism. They develop bizarre but successful business ideas, such as a restaurant in the living room or light switches made from deodorant cans. In doing so, they operate very cleverly in secret, still walking just on the edge of legality. "360° - Die GEO-Reportage" shows Ariél and his friends, who repeatedly play tricks on the strict Castro regime in Cuba with a lot of wit and organizational talent. Cuba: crumbling colonial facades, American vintage cars, smoking dandies - a backdrop between tropical palm trees, sunsets and mass marches. But people's daily lives are complicated by the U.S. economic embargo and the Castro government's mismanagement of the economy. Working for the state is a duty. Ariél, for example, officially checks private water containers for dengue mosquito larvae as a health authority inspector. Because he, like many, cannot live from socialist work alone, he works with his friends César and Tommy on the side as a "mecaniquero." Using all sorts of "mecánicas" - techniques, tricks, bartering, and contacts - they scrounge up things that can't be gotten in the state stores. In doing so, they have to be flexible. What is allowed today may be banned tomorrow under penalty of law. They have no shortage of demand. Anyone from the area who urgently needs something and can't find it turns to the Mecaniqueros: gold for dental veneers, a dress for a party, spare parts for a television set - the three charming Cubans procure everything. Some of their private sidelines also take place as a family business. Depending on their needs, for example, the living room is transformed into a beauty salon or a restaurant. Cousin Idania then beautifies proud Cuban women, or mother Gina stirs in the cooking pots and conjures up delicacies with a few ingredients organized by the Mecaniqueros. Many things are only available cheaply in the countryside. In the fertile valley of Viñales, the three friends get a suckling pig. It is for a customer's 15th birthday - the most important day in the life of a Cuban woman. Ariél and his friends have promised to organize everything necessary: Dream dresses for photo shoots, a camera and music for a small party - a daunting task in Cuba. But knowing how, nothing is impossible in Havana!