Almost everybody uses these.
You have to cover the mattress.
If you've got gunk running
out of your arse, things get sticky.
The red light district is located
in the oldest part of Amsterdam.
An area with a dodgy reputation,
full of prejudices and dark sides.
In Behind the Red Light District we visit
people who make an honest living here...
and see the neighbourhood
from their perspective.
Behind the Red Light District
The Cleaner
Okay, it's Friday morning,
ridiculously early.
I can't remember
ever getting up this early.
We're in the red light district
where the girls have had a busy night.
They made some money
and we're now ready to go home.
This is when noisy seagulls
and drunken tourists take over...
as well as the people
who clean the window brothels.
Today, we'll join them to see
what they make of the area...
and what the place looks like
after the girls have gone home.
But first I need a bucket of coffee.
Jesus, it's early.
-Would you like a drink?
Yes, please.
-Some Red Bull?
Please. Is that what you always do?
-Yes, nine times out of ten. Cheers.
What's the plan?
-We're going to clean the brothels.
After the latest regulations, you'd think
you were cleaning the royal palace.
Really? Let's get to it, then.
-Yes. I'll just get my things.
This goes here.
Cloths, two mop heads, bin liners...
window wiper, some ammonia
and a bottle of bleach.
Does that happen every day?
-On Saturday and Sunday mornings...
it can get really crazy.
-Can it?
Do people sometimes think you're open
for business when you're working?
Oh yes, even to the point...
-Yes?
I get lots of propositions.
Believe it or not, it does happen.
Do you ever accept?
-Of course not.
A whore is a whore
and a cleaner is a cleaner.
Come in. It's muggy.
This is my first time in a window brothel.
-Is it?
With a mop in my hand.
Just as I should. Okay, let's clean.
These girls are tidy. They emptied
the bin so I don't have to.
We'll clean the bed, the toilet
and wipe down the walls.
They can use this disinfectant
whenever they want to.
You need to have soap, that's the law.
Same goes for alcohol.
Handy towels.
You have to wear gloves,
but I don't like them.
You must have a double bucket.
-When did the rules become so strict?
Since they decided to get rid
of prostitution.
What was it like before?
-The girls worked as long as they liked.
When I got in,
quite often they'd still be working.
They would work till 7.30 a.m.
Cleaning regulations
have become very strict.
That's actually a good thing,
I mean...
It doesn't bear thinking
about certain customers...
Of course.
Let's do the outside first.
Give me a job if something needs doing.
-I wash, you dry.
Am I doing it wrong?
-Be sure to dry it first.
And the top, darling.
Does that happen a lot?
-People talk to you.
Sometimes they're rude:
'Are those whores still working?'
'Where are the whores?'
Then I get angry.
We also carry a UV-light.
That's a new rule
from the Public Health Office.
Yes, when you're done cleaning,
you have to check your own work.
Those white marks all have to go.
Is that sperm?
-I don't know.
Is this also required by law?
-I'm not sure.
But it's a lot more hygienic.
I always check for condom wrappers.
These are hers, so I'll leave them.
-Right.
I really want to feel if it's soft or not.
-Why don't you just lie down?
Go ahead.
I know the bed isn't made, but...
Oh, that's quite soft.
Quite comfortable.
-Is it?
Get someone to lie on top of you.
Come on, Duco.
I'll take over the camera.
Robbedoes.
-Hi, hon.
How's things, you old bugger? Come here.
-No.
You just keep on cleaning.
Looking good, kid.
It's muggy inside. At your place too?
-Yes, awful.
Henny has been cleaning here for 20 years
and seems to know everybody.
But even though she enjoys it...
the gentrification of the area
is bad for the atmosphere.
Everybody knows you.
You're quite a character.
Before, it was even worse,
but things have gone downhill.
The atmosphere has become colder.
It used to be...
If I were to fart now,
everybody would know about it.
Everybody knows everything.
Good morning, darling.
-Are you alright, love?
Sure am.
-What are you doing?
I've come to see your famous bench.
-Give us a kiss.
I'd sit on a bench, right here.
He'd be so mean to me.
Early in the morning.
-Six a.m.
On an empty stomach.
That was nice.
-Those were the days.
Living in North it's different,
but over here it's like a village.
Everybody knows everything.
-But now the atmosphere is colder.
The street has changed.
Whores have been around forever.
Why get rid of them now?
Casa Rosso, the floor shows,
the Banana Bar, do they all have to go?
And for what? A tapas bar?
No, this has to stay. Definitely.
People think it's one big orgy of pimps,
human traffickers and junkies.
Forced prostitution, you name it.
That's been reduced by 95 percent.
The dealers...
The girls have to make sure
no drugs are used on the premises.
If they are caught dealing drugs,
they lose their window brothels.
Of course there are dealers,
but you get them in North too.
I've never felt safer
than in this neighbourhood.
I'd rather lock up a brothel than a bar
in Amsterdam North, so to speak.
He's having fun. Still under the influence
from last night.
I feel like I've been set up.
You're doing a great job, darling.
Better than me.
