Filmed and completed in 1995, but not released until 1998. After several distribution delays, it was set to be released in mid-1997 by Barrandov Studios, but was delayed again after the movie's producer, Václav Marhoul, was fired from his position as Barrandov's CEO. Marhoul later set up his own company, Silver Screen, and this movie was its first release.
The first movie to be shot with Hawk anamorphic lenses, created by German company Vantage Film. This first series of lenses, the C-Series, were essentially rehoused versions of Russian Lomo Round Front anamorphic lenses.