Family Film, the producers of this movie made significant changes to the final edit, angering Director Bogdan Dumitrescu and his cast. Gérard Depardieu wrote an open letter saying: "I do not accept compromises, I do not like to be fooled". He backed Dumitrescu, who said that the producers are breaking contractual agreements, and did not have copyright over the film's script. In his letter, Depardieu further said he enjoyed making the film and working in Romania with the local actors and actresses. The main problems resulted apparently from the producers' attempts to secure U.S. distribution. To achieve this, the film had been given a happy Hollywood ending and, according to Depardieu, lost the "poetry" of the original version. The film finally premiered in 2013 in Romania with all of the main cast members and the director absent from the opening ceremony.
At the time of release, was the most expensive Romanian film since the 1989 revolution, as well as the widest release and the first film remake in the country's history. Coincidentally, director Bogdan Dreyer also helmed the country's first film since the revolution, Unde la soare e frig (1991).