Keep the Change

Wednesday, December 19, 2018 – 7:30pm
USA 2018. Dir: Rachel Israel. 93 min. DCP

David (Brandon Polansky) is a thirtysomething Manhattanite whose penchant for telling inappropriate jokes (sometimes to police officers) results in a court mandate to attend a social program for adults with autism. Convinced he doesn’t belong, David (who falls on the high-functioning end of the spectrum) initially refuses to participate, or even to remove his sunglasses. But things start to change when he meets irrepressibly confident Sarah (Samantha Elisofon), who declares him “really, really smoking hot and so sexy.” Taking the noteworthy step of casting people with ASD to portray characters with ASD, Rachel Israel has crafted an endearing, authentic, and often very funny love story of two adults on the spectrum negotiating the complexities of romance. “An ode to self-discovery and acceptance that’s as funny as it is sweet” (Nick Schager, Variety). “A landmark motion picture … Deserves to be widely seen” (Glenn Kenny, New York Times).

Post-screening discussion with Shannon Muir, a Registered Speech Language Pathologist who for over 25 years has worked with children and adults with autism to develop their communication skills, including speech, language, and social interaction. She also serves on the Advisory Council for ACT – Autism Community Training.

Moderated by Dr. Harry Karlinsky, Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.

Co-sponsored by the Plan Institute.