Many were mystified by Alfonso Cuarón's decision to release this very cinematic film on Netflix. One of his primary reasons for doing this was because foreign language films do not usually get adequate distribution. By releasing it on Netflix, Alfonso Cuarón knew Roma (2018) would potentially play to its widest audience.
The lengthy delivery scene in the hospital was only shot once. The doctors and nurses were real, not actors, hired to make the scene feel more authentic.
Alfonso Cuarón decided to shoot on location in Mexico City instead of using a soundstage. This is one reason for the several appearances of airplanes, because according to Cuarón they had a plane passing by every five minutes.
Roma was based heavily on director Alfonso Cuarón's real-life nanny, Liboria "Libo" Rodriguez, when he was a child. He is portrayed in the film by Carlos Peralta (Paco). The film is dedicated to her. As of 2018, the real Cleo, Liboria Rodríguez (Libo), is still alive and still part of Alfonso Cuarón's family, or Alfonso Cuarón's family is still part of Libo's life. She has made cameos or brief appearances in several of his previous films, including Y tu mamá también (2001) in a scene where she brings Diego Luna a sandwich.