black and white foreign film

[rawmackaw]

Okay, this may be a tough one, but I saw this film on BBC2 a couple of years ago, it was black and white, foreign (maybe Italian), made in the 50s, early 60s, about a bespectacled writer who had an aura of importance about him and who walked around the streets going from friend to friend, telling them about this book that he was writing, promising them money that he was borrowing off them. He carried about with him a package, as if it held some importance, which became more frayed and frayed as the film went on.

Then you discovered that he was homeless and using his friends as a stop by, which they gradually got wind off. His manuscript is worthless as no one can afford to publish it, he pans his typewriter, getting more and more desperate.

He eventually opens his parcel, which contains his shoes and meagre belongings, and eats scraps from the bins of a restaurant, the film ended with his stricken face as he contemplates getting on the 'slave boat' to another country to start a new life.

Wish I had've took a note of what the film was called when it was on. If anyone can find it for me, would be much appreciated!

Thanks.