PODCAST | Matt Micucci interviews Rachel Israel, director of the film Keep the Change.

To listen to the interview, click on the ► icon on the right, just above the picture

Director Rachel Israel presented her feature film Keep the Change, a romantic comedy set within a community of adults on the autism spectrum, in the official competition of the 52nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. In this interview, Israel reveals to us that the cast, also on the autism spectrum, was committed to the project before the writing of the screenplay began, and that they were very much involved in the creative process during the making of the film. Nonetheless, she also reveals that it was never her intention to make a film about autism; it was more important for her to make a movie about these particular characters. Other topics discussed include some movies that influenced her while making Keep the Change, the way in which the film’s New York’s setting influenced the movie, the use of contemporary elements in a traditional story, and more.

Keep the Change: stylish but apathetic, David meets bundle of energy Sarah at a support group. While he’s just fulfilling a court-ordered obligation, she is thrilled to be there. But as they move past their initial conflicts, they become participants in an uncommon romance that won’t yield to convention. Keep the Change is a different kind of romantic comedy about people who are not the same – like most of us.

For the official website of the festival, click here.