Nicole Kidman went to the Russian Embassy in Australia for help in speaking Russian. She didn't work with any other coach on the set except the woman from the embassy.
Some scenes were filmed in Sydney, Australia, in order for Nicole Kidman could be close to her children and then-husband Tom Cruise who filmed Mission: Impossible II (2000) in Sydney at the same time.
After this film, Nicole Kidman recommended director Jez Butterworth to her friend Hugh Jackman. They two of them collaborated on the acclaimed stage play "The River" after Kidman's recommendations.
Playwright Jez Butterworth's last film. He has not directed a feature film since, partly because he disliked the slow process of film-making, and has focused on writing instead.
Jez Butterworth was originally not interested in casting Nicole Kidman. However producer Harvey Weinstein wanted her and got Butterworth to see her in the play "Blue Room", after which he agreed to cast her.