Clash of Civilization Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio (Scontro di civiltà per un ascensore a Piazza Vittorio)

Isotta Toso directed the 2010 Italian comedy Clash of Civilization Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio, originally Scontro di civiltà per un ascensore a Piazza Vittorio, and co-wrote the screenplay with Maura Vespini. Running about 96 minutes, it shows how very different worlds meet under the roof of a single apartment building.

The story is set on Piazza Vittorio in the center of Rome, a multicultural microcosm where locals mix with immigrants and refugees. The residents of an old apartment building on the square are almost a mirror of the world outside. Differences of culture, language and religion among these people of varied origins breed misunderstandings and prejudice in the closed setting, but sometimes solidarity and even affection too. One day the young bully Lorenzo is found dead in the building's elevator. In the investigation every resident gives a statement as a witness; as everyone airs their own grievances, the process gives this colorful community, at once very funny, sad and sharp-eyed, a sense of belonging.

The cast is led by Roberto Citran (Professor Marini), Francesco Pannofino (the barman), Kasia Smutniak (Giulia) and Ahmed El Hafiene (Amedeo), alongside Daniele Liotti, Milena Vukotic, Luigi Diberti, Fabio Traversa and the Turkish actress Serra Yılmaz.