Ouzo was used as a replacement for absinthe for the drinking scenes filmed on the first day. Because the scene turned out so well, method drinking was adopted for the rest of filming. As a result, Thewlis had admitted in a interview that he can't really remember making the film at all.
River Phoenix was originally attached to the project, but the part of Rimbaud went to Leonardo DiCaprio after Phoenix's death.
This film have been developing a cult status among cinephiles; even Warner Bros added this film as a part of Warner Archive Collection.