Miracle in Milan 1951

In this enchanting narrative woven with elements of self-discovery and magic, Totò, found as a baby amidst a humble cabbage patch, is nurtured by the kindness and insight of his adoptive mother, Lolotta. After her passing, he is moved to an orphanage where he develops essential organizational skills that become vital for the challenges that await him. Upon reaching adulthood, Totò, portrayed by Francesco Golisano, ventures beyond the orphanage’s walls, ultimately settling in a makeshift squatter colony on the fringes of Milan.

As Totò’s intrinsic goodness and hopeful spirit—qualities he inherited from Lolotta—begin to flourish within the colony, he becomes a beacon of hope and structure for its inhabitants. Despite the precariousness of their situation, Totò cultivates a sense of joy and community among the residents. Meanwhile, the land is sought after by opportunistic businessmen, including the crafty Mobbi, who allow the squatters to continue their humble existence on the site.

During a lively festival, as the squatters dig a pit for a maypole, an astonishing find occurs—oil erupts from beneath the ground. Mistaking it for water, the squatters are caught off guard when Mobbi, having learned of this stroke of fortune from the devious Rappi, attempts to evict them, employing the police to enforce his will.

In this dire hour, Totò receives an ethereal dove from the spirit of Lolotta, which possesses the remarkable ability to grant wishes. This sets the stage for a surreal transformation, where the hidden desires of the camp’s residents come to life in extraordinary and unpredictable ways. However, when two celestial beings reclaim the dove, invalidating its use by mere mortals, the camp swiftly loses its magical shield.

As the police swarm the area, Totò’s friends face arrest and are taken away in police wagons. Prompted by his beloved Edvige’s whimsical switch of the magical dove with an ordinary one, Totò channels his heartfelt faith to wish for his friends’ release. In a spectacular twist, the police vehicles dissolve, and the squatters ascend into the air, riding broomsticks that were snatched from Milan’s central square.

Soaring above the city’s famed cathedral, the squatters embark on a journey “towards a land where ‘good morning really means good morning’.”