La Petite Lise plot
Berthier is a forced laborer at the Cayenne penitentiary. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife, whom he had killed when he found out she had cheated on him. However, because of his heroism in a fire, he is pardoned and learns that he will be released soon. In the midst of the filthy dormitory where, in an indescribable noise, prisoners are singing, arguing, throwing cards or dice, he looks lovingly at the photo of his daughter Lise, whom he will soon see again. Lise lives with her boyfriend in a small studio in Paris. But because of lack of money she prostitutes herself. When Berthier comes to visit her some time later, she keeps silent about her activities and tells him that she is a typist.