All Men Are Mortal

“All Men are Mortal” is one of Simone de Beauvoir’s most famous and unusual novels—the French writer, winner of the Goncourt Prize and author of “The Second Sex.” A celebrated stage actress dreams of immortality. She is tormented by the thought that in a hundred years no one will remember her name; no people will remain who saw her incomparable performance on stage. In one provincial town, she meets a strange man who seems to be in a permanent trance. He doesn’t eat, doesn’t talk to anyone, and never leaves the hotel courtyard—even during heavy rain. Intrigued, Régine tries to get to know the mysterious man better and soon learns that she is looking at the only immortal person in the world. His gaze is a ticket to eternity. Régine asks Raymond Fossek to tell the story of his incredible, terrifying life lasting 670 years. Italy, France, Spain, South America, England… It seems that all the important events of the Western world have passed through Raymond Fossek as if through sand between fingers—leaving him with nothing but longing… and memories.