The role in this film, unfortunately, was the last for the brilliant and beloved actor Anatoliy Papanov.
The film crew, with the exception of Aleksandr Proshkin, lived in Petrozavodsk. Proshkin lived throughout the filming process in the village of Ruga on the bank of the Syamozero, where most of the film takes place.
In 1989 the film was awarded the State Prize of the USSR and the Nika Prize as the best feature film.
Because of the sudden death of Anatoliy Papanov, his character was voiced by Igor Yefimov.
Music for the film - instrumental processing of the song "Epitaph" by King Crimson.