Here is our interview with Julie Sokolow, director and producer of the film.
How did you meet David and become involved with the film?
A lot of people in Pittsburgh know about David since he spent twenty years posting personal ad fliers to telephone poles around town. I always loved his fliers, his sense of humor, and honesty. I really admired his willingness to put himself out there. I always wanted to meet him, but it just hadn’t happened yet. Then out of the blue, he sent me a Facebook message saying, “I’ve seen your documentaries and I think you should make one about me.” It kind of felt like destiny.
The film spans twenty years. How did you get footage from back then?
Years ago, a fantastic filmmaker named Gordon Nelson directed a short film called “Find Dave a Date”. It’s an experimental black-and-white film that features David and his fliers. It was incredible to use Nelson’s footage in our movie to show the epic duration of David’s lifelong quest for love. Our film focuses on David’s quest for love in the era of online dating, so you can see how the internet has really changed the dating game!
The film has a very relaxed and gentle feel about it. Were you almost a ‘fly on the wall’, an observer? I felt incredibly lucky to be allowed into David’s world and I felt as if I was his friend.
I definitely wanted to immerse the audience in David’s world and everyday life. However, when you’re lonely and looking for love, it can be a really bleak emotional experience. I didn’t want to sugarcoat that, but at the same time, I wanted David’s incredible sense of humor to shine through the darker moments. David and I became really great friends and I was always hoping for the best for him from behind the camera.
I love the music in the film and again I felt it had a timely quality and matched David’s personality, that of being very naturalistic yet funny at the same time. How did you go about choosing the songs within the film?
I wrote and recorded half of the songs myself for the film. I’ve always written cheeky songs about unrequited love and heartbreak, so it felt perfect to incorporate them into a movie about love. The other half of the soundtrack is by Alan Lewandowski and his bands Anita Fix and The Working Poor. Alan’s songs are also good at conveying vulnerability with a sense of humor. I think that’s an aesthetic we share.
How did you approach the various women in the film? Were they happy to be involved? I found their stories to be as equally interesting.
David met most of the women online on OKCupid and that’s how they ended up in our film. They would exchange messages and he’d explain to them that he was the subject of a documentary. I think they were cool with being in the film because they genuinely wanted to go on a date with David.
How did members of David’s social groups feel about being part of the film?
David’s autism group welcomed us with open arms. We are endlessly grateful to them. I think a lot of the people in the group related to David’s desire to find love. At the end of the day, it’s a universal struggle that so many of us face, both on and off the spectrum. The difficulties of finding love with autism are unique, and David’s friends really helped to shed a light on those distinctions.
The film has obviously been a labour of love for you. Will there be a sequel?
I would love to know what happens next. We’ll see! I wouldn’t rule it out.
Where and when can we see the film?
Aspie Seeks Love will premiere at Cinequest Film Festival in California soon. It will be playing throughout the world in 2015, so check our site periodically for new screening times and locations.
You can do so by clicking here http://aspieseekslove.com/showtimes/