The fully restored house of Maud Lewis is on permanent display in Halifax at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. The decorated house was saved from deterioration by a group of concerned local citizens, that went through a 25 year-long struggle to maintain the house.
Sally Hawkins' name was the first one director Aisling Walsh wrote down to play the lead role. She says of Hawkins, "Sally can transform herself utterly when she takes on a role. She becomes it. That has been one of the most incredible things about this project."
The project was in development for thirteen years.
An entire replica of Lewis' house was built for the production.
Ethan Hawke said it was a privilege to co-star opposite Sally Hawkins; "I've had a few times in my life where you feel it's a privilege to be in the room, because you're the first person to see the performance. I felt that with Denzel Washington in Training Day (2001). If you love acting and love what you do it's amazing and I felt that way with Sally, she's funny and brilliant."