Although the movie was made in 1981, it had its premiere in 1987. The delay was because of state-imposed censorship due to the film's political content.
The idea of how a life can take different possible paths inspired at least three later films: Mr. Nobody, Sliding Doors and Run, Lola, Run, and also the greek film "An..." (2012) by Christopher Papakaliatis.
This film is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #772.