Born in 1943 in Tlemcen, French Algeria, Maurice Bénichou made his mark in the world of film with a career that spanned several decades. In Stuntwoman (1977), he plays a pivotal role that showcases the daring and often overlooked narratives of exploitation cinema. Known for his collaborations with directors like Michael Haneke, Bénichou's work in Stuntwoman adds a unique layer to the cult film landscape, reflecting the raw energy and audacity characteristic of the genre.
Stuntwoman
A movie about a good-for-nothing stuntman called Mike Gaucher who can't do one single job without something going wrong. His fiancée wants to kill him, the film studios don't want to give him any more work and, as King Kong for a promotion in a supermarket, he winds up destroying some display shelves. The only role he plays well is pretending not to be able to hear, speak and walk in order to get money from the government. Then along comes the "beautiful" actor called Bruno Ferrari. Supposedly a fearless stuntman, Ferrari turns out to be afraid of heights once his feet leave the ground. So a stuntman is needed to prevent a scandal. And who is the man who looks most (or exactly) like Bruno? You guessed it, good-for-nothing Mike.
