Marie-Louise Thierry and René Thierry were real life foster parents. Maurice Pialat became acquainted with the couple and cast them in lead roles after he began researching the plight of children in the foster care system.
The character Francois was based on a real-life foster child named Didier who lived with René Thierry and Marie-Louise Thierry.
First theatrical film directed by Maurice Pialat. Before this film, Pialat had directed several short films and documentaries.
This film is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #534.