Role: Fangora “Fanny” Gurkel
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Director: Greg Pritikin
Written by: Greg Pritikin
Running time: 91 min
Box office: $71,646
Release Date: February 21, 2002 (AFM premiere), September 12, 2003 (US)
Additional Cast: Adrien Brody, Illeana Douglas, Vera Farmiga

Synopsis

Steven Schoichet is a recently unemployed ne’er-do-well who has difficulty expressing himself. Steven finds he has a knack for ventriloquism. Steven’s best friend is Fangora “Fanny” Gurkel, an aspiring punk rock singer who, along with Steven, is just looking for her niche. Eventually, Fanny takes a shine to klezmer music when she learns of an opportunity to get an actual gig. Through his newfound talent, Steven discovers that he is able to overcome his social problems through his dummy and decides to try impressing and winning the heart of Lorena Fanchetti.

From director Greg Pitkin:

“Hi. Greg Pritikin here-writer/director of Dummy. Something you should know if you live in Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East: The version of Dummy available in those places is not really my film. It is the “international” version of the film which was slapped together by the financiers and the foreign sales people which I have been trying to have my name removed from for two years now. I strongly urge you to try and get your hands on the version released in the US and Canada which is my cut and as far as I’m concerned, a completely different film. Actually I think the “international” version is pure crap. Garbage. Refuse. An embarrassment to me and the fabulous cast that worked so hard to make this movie. So what can you do? Don’t buy or rent the “international” version. Buy the US version. Thanks a lot. And thanks for taking the time to discuss my film. Yours truly, Greg.”