Napoletani a Milano (1953)

A company from Milan (the real I.L.A.R., Industrie Lombarde Acciaierie Riunite) buys a plot of land on the outskirts of Naples to build a new industrial plant. Several families live in poverty on the site, having miraculously survived the devastating bombing of the Second World War. Through no fault of their own, they are forced to leave their homes. Unfortunately, five elderly people stubbornly barricade themselves inside their ruin, and during the earthworks the old house suddenly collapses, burying its occupants beneath the rubble. The incident sparks an uprising among the evicted residents, who blame the Milanese engineer in charge of the works. Targeted by the crowd, he manages to find shelter at Nannina’s home; she is a young woman from the neighborhood. Once tempers have cooled, Salvatore, considered the most popular and wisest person in the district, thinks he can take advantage of what happened by associating a number of fake relatives with the names of the dead. Under his guidance, they travel to Milan to demand compensation. Instead of money, however, the industrialists offer the fake relatives jobs. The Neapolitans accept so as not to lose face, and soon prove to be excellent workers. What is more, when the factory has to suspend operations for lack of orders, the Neapolitans appeal to their compatriots who have emigrated all over the world and obtain the help needed to get the company back on its feet.