Originally intended to be a pure promotional documentary about Lisbon comissioned by the city. Director Wim Wenders added some fictional components to the film and created a story with a thin and simple plot line.
The movie is a homage to Federico Fellini, who passed away the year before its release. The elusive director from the film, Friedrich, shares his first name and several traits with the Italian artist.
"Ah não ser eu toda a gente e toda a parte!". This phrase (roughly translated as "Would I be everybody and everywhere!"), written in one of the walls of the house where Winter's staying, is the last verse of "Ode Triunfal", a poem by Álvaro de Campos, one of the three main heteronyms of Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa.
In the condensed "third act" (opposing to rather slow film's pace ), which is roughly last 15 minutes, in main character's monologue, Wenders uses names of several Beatles' songs, "Fool on the Hill" and "With A Little Help From My Friends".