In the original Lebanese war, director Samuel Maoz was the gunner of his vehicle's four-man crew. He admits to killing a man during his tour of duty.
After his wartime experiences, it took Samuel Maoz 25 years to actually be able to physically write a screenplay based on what he had witnessed. Every attempt he had made beforehand had made him vomit.
Upon accepting his award at the Venice Film Festival, Samuel Maoz said "I dedicate this award to the thousands of people all over the world who, like me, come back from war safe and sound. Apparently they are fine, they work, get married, have children. But inside the memory will remain stabbed in their soul."
In the late 2000s, this was the third film in as many years to focus on Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon. The other films are Ari Folman's Valzer con Bashir (2008) and Joseph Cedar 's Beaufort (2007).
Rejected for submission at both the Berlin and Cannes International Film Festival. The film went on to win the Golden Lion at Venice.