The politics of

Love & dance

(formerly known as "DIETRICH DANZIG")

Writers Guild of Canada Registered #S14-03071

Writers Guild of America Registered #I274835

© Copyright 2014, 2015, 2018 by John Pisano-Thomsen

 

WINNER! - BEST FEATURE SCREENPLAY

11th LA INDIE FILM FESTIVALSCREENPLAY COMPETITION (2017)

2017 OMAHA FILM FESTIVAL SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

2016 ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

2015 TEADANCE LGBT FILM FESTIVAL

1st place - BEST FEATURE SCREENPLAY

2017 FLICKERS/RHODE ISLAND INT'L FF SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

3rd place - BEST FEATURE SCREENPLAY

2019 BYRON BAY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

48TH WORLDFEST HOUSTON  (REMI BRONZE, BEST ORIG. DRAMA)

TOP 10 SCREENPLAY WINNER

84TH ANNUAL WRITER'S DIGEST WRITING COMPETITION

honorable mention

2015 SCREENPLAY FESTIVAL (SHERMAN OAKS, CALIFORNIA)

Finalist

2020 BEAUFORT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

2019 INROADS SCREENWRITING FELLOWSHIP

2018 NEW RENAISSANCE FILM FESTIVAL (AMSTERDAM, NL)

2017 ISA FAST TRACK VI FELLOWSHIP

2016 SEATTLE INT'L FILM FESTIVAL CATALYST COMPETITION

2016 WE SCREENPLAY DIVERSE VOICES CONTEST

2016 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL SCREENWRITING AWARDS

2016 AMSTERDAM FILM FESTIVAL

2016 SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

38TH WRITEMOVIES.COM INT'L SCREENWRITING CONTEST

SEMIFINALIST

2017 "TABLE READ MY SCREENPLAY" - PARK CITY

2017 RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

2016 DENVER FILM FESTIVAL FEATURE SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

2016 NASHVILLE FILM FESTIVAL SCREENWRITING COMPETITION

2014 SCREENCRAFT SCREENWRITING FELLOWSHIP

TOP 15%

2019 ACADEMY NICHOLL FELLOWSHIP

2016 AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL (2ND ROUNDER)

2015 AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL (2ND ROUNDER)

QUARTER FINALIST

THE FILM EMPIRE'S 2019 DIVERSITY MENTORSHIP

2019 SCREENCRAFT SCREENWRITING FELLOWSHIP

2019 CREATIVE SCREENWRITING SCREENPLAY CONTEST

2015 SHORE SCRIPTS SCREENWRITING COMPETITION

OFFICIAL SELECTION

2018 CAPITAL FUND SCREENPLAY COMPETITION (THE HOT 100 LIST)

2016 BEVERLY HILLS FILM FESTIVAL

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live, public reading

SIFF FILM CENTER, SEATTLE, SEPTEMBER 21, 2016​​

​​sYNOPSIS

A fictional love story inspired by history, Dietrich Danzig is the world's last known living survivor of the Pink Triangles arrested for homosexuality during the reign of the Third Reich.  Through a 2011 interview with Dr. Theodore Bitten of the United States Holocaust Museum, Dietrich, at the age of 95, takes us back to 1935 where we are led into his young life as a successful ballet dancer with the Berlin Staatsoper; a gay man suppressed by the enforcement of immorality law Paragraph 175; a lover pursing an impossible romance with a conflicted childhood pal forced by his stepfather to be a Nazi officer; and a victim of tragic circumstance that leads to his internment in Dachau.

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"THE POLITICS OF LOVE & DANCE" is a story about having the courage to embrace who you are while living in the face of authorized hatred and it serves to remind everyone that LGBT inhumanities and oppression still continue throughout the world.

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NOTABLE CRITIQUES

 

2015 ACADEMY NICHOLL FELLOWSHIP

"This script hooks us on Page One and compels us to keep reading. The theme is thought-provoking, even today. The story is about something important that should establish a dialogue among those familiar with it."

THE BLACKLIST, SEPTEMBER 2016

"...a fresh character focus set in a historical time period that's proven to be fertile ground for prestigious dramas, with a strong lead role that could easily attract top talent and likely generate awards buzz."

2016 SIFF CATALYST SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

"The story is compelling.  The script moves at a fast pace.  The dialogue is rich and well written.  The characters motivations and objectives are clear.  This is a wonderful story and was extremely enjoyable to read.  I cared for the main character (Danzig) and wanted him to succeed.  This is a very refreshing look into another side of war.  It is not your typical WW II story."

2016 BLUECAT SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

"...an endearing historical drama about the timeless pursuit of love and the courage it takes to embrace one’s true self in the midst of a brutal and unforgiving environment. It may not be a true story, but some of the best films that come from World War Two explore themes that are still relevant 70 years later, and this one is no exception.  The description is clear and crisp and makes for an easy read....the dialogue that is here is well written. Every character speaks with conviction, which makes each exchange not just an argument or explanation but a war of ideals and beliefs."

2016 CINEQUEST SCREENWRITING COMPETITION

"A compelling historical biopic that will likely garner great attention. Overall an engaging read and the characters were well drawn."

2016 ACADEMY NICHOLL FELLOWSHIP

"The premise is terrific and should be made, it is clear this is a story of passion in more ways than one... Great story all in all."

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