The filming began in 1983, the same year that the military dictatorship ended in Argentina. The filming was cancelled due to the threats received by the director, actors and particularly to Analia Castro's family. It was announced that filming was cancelled, but production continued in secret until 1985.
The film was released on 3 April 1985, the same day that the first judgments were made against the military men in Argentina.
This film won the Oscar in March 24, 1986. Coincidentally, Norma Aleandro, and then-MPAA president Jack Valenti, co-presented the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the ceremony. Both were visibly elated when the film was announced as the winner. Ten years prior, in March 24, 1976, began the military dictatorship -also knows as "The Dirty War" in Argentina, which lasted until 1983, a fact acknowledged by director Luis Puenzo, when he accepted the award.
The first ever film from Argentina to win an Academy Award. This was for Best Foreign Language Film.
Argentina became the first Latin American country ever to win the Oscar in this category.