Pantalaskas (1960)
Directed by Paul Paviot

Film Synopsis

Casimir Pantalaskas is a Lithuanian man in his early forties who is living in Paris as an illegal immigrant.  He cannot speak a word of French and lives completely alone, with no one to turn to when things get difficult for him.  He finds himself in a state of abject despair after being thrown out of his hotel and attempts suicide by slicing off a piece of his ear.  A policeman named Battistini shows him some kindness by offering him a place to stay, but Casimir's demons refuse to leave him and he makes a second attempt on his life, this time by trying to gas himself.  Battistini refuses to give up on the unfortunate Lithuanian.  With the help of a schoolteacher, Clairgeon, and a hotel owner, Troppmann, he does his utmost to help Casimir through his present crisis and give him a reason for living...