Director Mohammad Rasoulof was originally scheduled to take part in the 2023 Cannes Film Festival as a jury member of the Un Certain Regard section. However, he was arrested in July 2022 after criticising the government's crackdown on protestors in the southwestern city of Abadan in Iran over deadly building collapse. On May 8, 2024, Rasouloff's lawyer announced that he has been sentenced to eight years in prison as well as flogging, a fine and confiscation of his property. On May 12, 2024, Rasouloff announced that he managed to flee Iran and was staying at an undisclosed location in Europe. On May 24, 2024, Rasouloff attended the film's premiere in Cannes and on the red carpet he held up photos of two of the film's actors, Soheila Golestani and Missagh Zareh.
Clocking in at 2 hours and 48 minutes, this is the longest film in official competition at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.