Known for Acting
From Wikipedia Hamidou Benmessaoud (Arabic: حميدو بنمسعود; 2 August 1935 – 19 September 2013), best known as Amidou, was a Moroccan-French film, television and stage actor. Born in Rabat, at 17 Amidou moved to Paris to attend the CNSAD. In 1968 he made his debut on stage, in Jean Genet's Les paravents. Amidou is probably best known for his association with director Claude Lelouch, with whom he has shot eleven films, including the Lelouch's film debut Le propre de l'homme (1960). He made his debut in a Maroccan film in 1969, starring in Soleil de printemps directed by Latif Lahlou. His career includes roles in Spaghetti Westerns like Buddy Goes West and several American productions, including William Friedkin's Sorcerer, John Frankenheimer's Ronin and John Huston's Escape to Victory. In 1969 Amidou was awarded best actor at the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival for his role in Life Love Death by Claude Lelouch, later he won best actor awards at the Cairo Film Festival (for Pursuit by Leila Triquie) and at the Tangier Film Festival (for Rachid Boutounes' Here and There). In 2005, he received at the hands of Martin Scorsese a Lifetime Career Award at the International Film Festival of Marrakech. He was also the first Moroccan actor to have won an acting award at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Art. Amidou died on 19 September 2013 in Paris, France. He was 78.
Born
August 2, 1935
Died
September 19, 2013 (age 78)
Birthplace
Rabat, French Morocco
Filmography
53 films, 3 shows


Aïcha : Vacances infernales
2012
country: France


Aïcha : La grande débrouille
2011 · 1h 36m
country: France
Rid of her rival Gloria, Aïcha will do everything to make her boss proud, with Ginette's help. Patrick presents her with a love ultimatum: their mothers must meet. And to top it off, things are getting worse in the neighborhood.


Aïcha : Job à tout prix
2011
country: France


Comme les 5 doigts de la main
2010 · 1h 57m
country: France
Five brothers similar yet different, raised by a mother widowed too early. One of them had left the family when he returns, pursued by a gang of smugglers, he find shelter in his family while reveling them a dark secret. The five brothers, together, will find the energy to defend themself and the means to avenge the memory of their murdered father...


Aïcha
2009 · 1h 30m
country: France
A few miles from Paris, on the other side of the northern ring road, stands a ghetto neighborhood with countless rows of dilapidated apartment buildings, their concrete crumbling and iron rusting. A multiracial community has long been rooted here, while most native French families have deserted the area. In tower 216 lives a "model" family of Algerian origin, the Bouamazzas. Our heroine, Aïcha, 25, the eldest daughter, is held up as an example by the whole community. But Aïcha can no longer bear the weight of the community: she wants to spread her wings, gain her independence, and finally cross the Rubicon.


Ali Baba and the 40 thieves
2007 · 3h
country: Germany
The story of Ali Baba, who takes on forty thieves to save the Caliph of Baghdad and prevent a war between the Orient and the Occident.


Argana
2007 · 1h 45m
country: Morocco
After the death of her husband Amghar, killed by the settlers, Tamghart resists the maneuvers of the traitor Hammou who quietly negotiates, despite the villagers, the elimination of the argan tree to pass a road. But Rachid’s bitter struggle, back in the village after long years of study abroad, puts an end to Hammou’s evil schemes.


Heaven's Doors
2006 · 2h 37m
country: Morocco
As co-directed by brothers Swad and Imad Noury (and produced by their mother, Pilar Cazorla), The Moroccan picture Heaven's Doors (2005) employs an episodic narrative, with three related substories presented sequentially. The Nourys shoot the episodes in distinct cinematographic styles (and with distinct overtones) suited to each tale, recalling Humberto Solas's masterpiece Lucia (1969).


Here and There
2004
country: Unknown
“Rahal” immigrated to Europe forty years ago. Scandalized by the behavior of his eldest son who participated in a heist, he decides to return to Morocco for good. In his native country, “Rahal” intends to take matters into his own hands. Events take another detour.


And Now... Ladies and Gentlemen...
2002 · 2h 13m
country: France
A jazz singer and a British jewel thief are brought together by their mutual desire to forget the past.
Une histoire d'amour
Une histoire d'amour
2002
country: Unknown
Aziz meets Wafaa, a young prostitute and tries to get out of his condition. His task won't be easy.


Spy Game
2001 · 2h 6m
country: France
On the day of his retirement, a veteran CIA agent learns that his former protégé has been arrested in China, is sentenced to die the next morning in Beijing, and that the CIA is considering letting that happen to avoid an international scandal.


Rules of Engagement
2000 · 2h 7m
country: United States
A Marine Colonel is brought to court-martial after ordering his men to fire on demonstrators surrounding the American embassy in Yemen.


Hideous Kinky
1999 · 1h 38m
country: France
In 1972, disenchanted about the dreary conventions of English life, 25-year-old Julia heads for Morocco with her daughters, six-year-old Lucy and precocious eight-year-old Bea.


Ronin
1998 · 2h 2m
country: United Kingdom
A briefcase with undisclosed contents – sought by Irish terrorists and the Russian mob – makes its way into criminals' hands. An Irish liaison assembles a squad of mercenaries, or 'ronin', and gives them the thorny task of recovering the case.


Soleil
1997 · 1h 44m
country: Unknown
During a happy evening, the famous professor Levy, one of the masters of cardiac surgery, collapses, struck by a heart attack. His whole life comes back to him, and in particular his childhood, enlightened by a loving and beloved mother.


Lalla Hobby
1996 · 1h 35m
country: Unknown
As Haj Moussa is caught by border guards while trying to reach Gibraltar in a small boat, he is sent to prison, and his family tries to help him return home, while his wife tries to procure money for the household and run the business.
Unveiled
Unveiled
1994
country: United States
An American woman uses herself as bait to help a CIA agent trap an alleged serial killer in Morroco.


The Big Pardon 2
1992 · 2h 7m
country: France
The mobster Raymond Bettoun gets out of prison and joins his son Maurice in Miami, a drug trafficker who is about to launch a huge operation. But he falls into a trap and a war begins in which Raymond will fight a last battle to try to save his son and what remains of his family.


The Beautiful Story
1992 · 3h 30m
country: France
A film with emphasis on visuals and music, the plot concerns characters who meet in present time, mainly the male gypsy Jesus, and the female thief and con-artist Odona, who share parallel experiences from lives 2000 years in the past. These stories are juxtaposed.


Hot Chocolate
1992 · 1h 33m
country: France
B.J. Cassidy, a rich businesswoman, has to invest several billion dollars for fiscal reasons. She undertakes to buy back a small French factory, specialized in chocolate truffles...


There Were Days... and Moons
1990 · 1h 57m
country: France
How can moon and time affect human mood and fate? In the manner of a Greek tragedy , this movie shows how the chaos of life ineluctably propels its characters towards violence and alienation.


Brothers in Arms
1989 · 2h 2m
country: France
Simon, a Jewish police inspector, arrests Karim, a Muslim, in the bust of a drug smuggling cargo ship, only to realize that Karim is an undercover agent from the military intelligence, whose mission he was not aware of. The two men pursue the narc investigation, which will lead them to confront middle eastern terrorists together.


The Passenger
1987 · 1h 9m
country: Algeria
On the train between Algiers and Constantine, Kamal crosses paths with a young girl. Between fleeting moments and shared moments, a friendship is forged, carried by tenderness and escapades throughout Algeria. The journey then becomes a mirror of the heart's impulses, but distance becomes an obstacle when it comes to declaring one's feelings and imagining a future together.


Bitter Champagne
1986 · 1h 22m
country: Unknown
In North Africa, a father and his illegitimate son are in love with the same woman.


The Night Wears Suspenders
1985 · 1h 25m
country: France
Jézabel, a worldly young woman, takes hold of Ariel, a shy and inexperienced young man, and leads him by hook or by crook through the wild side of Paris nightlife.


Farewell Fred
1985 · 1h 28m
country: Unknown
Fred is a gambler and deep in debt. He owes crime boss Victor a lot of money and the time to pay has come. He decides to take a massive risk to refund his debts and agrees to kill a man. Fred knows he has to pay his debt and that the only way to do it is to carry out the hit arranged by Victor.


Les p’tites têtes
1982 · 1h 17m
country: France
Henri, Daniel and Xavier have just opened a travel agency in Paris. Henri runs the agency while Daniel and Xavier go on trip to take care of the group of tourists in Morocco. The troubles begin when Xavier and Daniel arrive in Morocco and discover that Henri has closed the agency in Paris and hasn't booked any hotels or attractions for the trip. Without any money, Daniel and Xavier decide to continue the journey. Their luck is their meeting with the rich Prince Douzami who falls in love with one of the tourist, Marilyn, and he decides to help them. The trip is still disturbed by two criminals Mata and Harry who want to take a microfilm that daniel has unfortunately swallowed.


Escape to Victory
1981 · 1h 56m
country: Italy
A group of POWs in a German prison camp during World War II play the German National Soccer Team in this powerful film depicting the role of prisoners during wartime.
Les Avocats du Diable
1981 · 1h 19m
country: France
In 1958 in Paris, during the Algerian War, a young trainee lawyer, Maître Chabrier, was assigned to defend an Algerian garbage collector against paratroopers who had beaten him. Stay out of Algerian affairs, his peers advise him because the trial is taking a political turn. Chabrier acquired the reputation of the Fellaghas' lawyer.


Buddy Goes West
1981 · 1h 30m
country: Italy
Outlaw drifter Buddy is mistaken for a doctor after his Indian companion inadvertently steals a bag of surgical instruments.


Sorcerer
1977 · 2h 2m
country: United States
Four men from different parts of the globe, all hiding from their pasts in the same remote South American town, agree to risk their lives transporting several cases of dynamite (which is so old that it is dripping unstable nitroglycerin) across dangerous jungle terrain.


Rosebud
1975 · 2h 7m
country: United States
In a bold coup a Palestinian terrorist group captures the yacht Rosebud and kidnaps the millionaires five daughters on it. At first they demand film clips to be shown on major European TV stations. Undercover agent Martin is hired to hunt the terrorists down.


Man in the Trunk
1973 · 1h 40m
country: France
Bloch, an Israeli secret agent, seeks refuge in the French embassy in Libya to escape being killed. Augier, his French opposite number, has to get him to safety in a diplomatic suitcase.


The Punishment
1973 · 1h 35m
country: France
Britt, deluxe call-girl, is punished by the brothel owner because she was not accomodating enough to a customer. From now on, she must obey to all customers sadistic wishes, or else.


3000 Million Without an Elevator
1972 · 1h 32m
country: Italy
Seven small rogues dream of stealing the beautiful jewels which are in Paris for an exhibition.


Touch and Go
1971 · 1h 50m
country: Italy
North Africa, December 1942. Valentin, a professional gardener ruined by the bombings of 1940, has fled to Tunis, where he traffics stolen goods, transporting them from Libya to Tunisia on an old boat.


Smic, Smac, Smoc
1971 · 1h 30m
country: France
Charles, Jean and Amidou are workmen at the La Ciotat shipyards and live in the same construction facility. One day, Amidou leaves them to marry Catherine, a salesgirl. The trouble for Charles and Jean is that going to their friend's wedding means buying new clothes, which is problematic given their low income Moreover, they are determined to make this day an unforgettable one, despite their lack of money. Will they be able achieve their aim?


The Crook
1970 · 2h
country: France
A thief known as Simon the Swiss faces up and downs in his criminal profession.


Countdown to Vengeance
1970 · 1h 42m
country: Italy
10 years ago, François Nolan and his brother have been betrayed by one of their accomplices after a break-in. During the fight with the police, Francois's brother was killed, and a cop disfigured by François. Now, François is back for revenge. As nobody knows who the traitor was, the former accomplices lose their head. The disfigured cop is also waiting for the right moment to take his revenge on François.


Life Love Death
1969 · 1h 55m
country: France
François Toledo, married businessman and father, falls head-over-heels in love with Janine, a work colleague. However, he is soon found out: after three dates, he strangles some prostitutes, when, the victim of blackmail, he becomes dishonored. He is taken to court, and sentenced to be killed by a guillotine.


Soleil de Printemps
1969 · 1h 20m
country: Morocco
The story of a young man of peasant origin, a minor official in Casablanca, which can not adapt to life in the big city.


Heartbeat
1968 · 1h 43m
country: France
The mistress of a wealthy man misses material comforts when she leaves him for a younger lover.


The Girl Across the Way
1968 · 1h 30m
country: France
A young student visits the home of a friend who has all the good looks, women and luck. Every day, through binoculars from his friend's window, he sees a young girl in front of her home. Although attractive, the woman's face has been badly scarred. He finds out her phone number and the two engage in pleasant conversation. He gets up enough nerve to ask to meet her in person, but the socially inept young man becomes paralyzed with fear. He again summons the courage to meet with her before he is plagued with fear once again.


Sorrel Flower
1967 · 1h 40m
country: France
Catherine is left unmarried and pregnant when her mobster sweetheart is killed in this gangster comedy. With the help of another unmarried mother-to-be, Catherine goes looking for the stash of cash buried by her lover before his death. Soon other thugs and her suspicious neighbors are following their every move in an attempt to recover the lost loot...


Live for Life
1967 · 2h 10m
country: France
Famous TV newscaster Robert Colomb is married to Catherine, but is continually unfaithful to her. Then he meets, and becomes fascinated with Candice.


Les grands moments
1966 · 1h 25m
country: France
Four prisoners are gathered in the same cell. Each tells the others how he got there.


Brigade Anti Gangs
1966 · 1h 28m
country: France
The struggle between a ruthless leader of a bank robbers and the cops who are determined to put him in jail for long.


To Be a Crook
1965 · 1h 40m
country: France
Four young people, tired of working life, decide that they can earn money from crime than they can from work. The film follows their training at the first "crime school", as well as their work.


La parole est au témoin
1963 · 1h 34m
country: France
Mustapha, a cab driver in Paris, charges a customer in a hurry, without realizing that he is in a hurry to escape his pursuers after robbing a jewelry store. The next day, reading the newspapers, Mustapha becomes aware of the role he has played in this affair, and would gladly assist the police if a fortuitous incident didn't make him fear the criminals' vengeance. It's a cruel dilemma in which he is both suspected by some and threatened by others. Weak but honest, he manages to get out of this predicament at the risk of his life!
Thé a la menthe
Thé a la menthe
1962 · 18m
country: France
A man sits at a cafe in Paris and watches the world go by.


Flore et Blancheflore
1961 · 1h 33m
country: France
Flore is the son of a king, Blancheflore the daughter of a slave. The two children grow up together until they reach adolescence, but when the adults see the love between them blossoming, they decide to separate them. In this beautiful adaptation of a 13th-century tale, the staging, sets and costumes give us the impression of being immersed in medieval miniatures.


The Right of Man
1961 · 1h 30m
country: Unknown
At a friend's house, Claude meets Janine. The two young people spend the day wandering around Paris, from the café to the Foire du Trône, together or on their own. An exploration of the construction of a couple from two singularities.