The Hong Kong title of the film translates to Dark Flowers, a slang for an underworld contract.
Ka-Fai Wai has stated that most of Aam fa (1997) was directed by Johnnie To. To took over directing the film after Tat-Chi Yau had shot five scenes with Ka-Fai Wai re-writing the script as they were shooting.
Ka-Fai Wai re-wrote most of the script of Aam fa (1997) with Johnnie To. To and Wai had the film take place in Macau based on the chaos the area was experiencing at the time of filming.