Trivia

Rivalry amongst various Turkish musicians as to who was going to be in the film was very intense. Percussionist Burhan Öçal told the press that he was featured heavily. His remarks led to several other musicians pulling out of the project as they didn't want Ocal to get more time than them. Ironically, Ocal didn't make the final cut at all.

The project began when Alexander Hacke worked on the soundtrack to Akin's "Head-On". The film has a strong Turkish connection that Hacke drew on for his score. He was bewitched by these new sounds he was being exposed to. For "Head-On", Hacke recorded with Selim Sesler's orchestra. As neither artist had a common language, they had to communicate through music.

Fatih Akin shot over 150 hours of material and spent seven months cutting the film.

Director Fatih Akin also acted as camera operator on the film.

Sezen Aksu refused to give an interview for the film. Nevertheless, she and Akin became such good friends that she allowed him to use her songs in his films any time, and even offered to write him a soundtrack. She also invited Akin to direct her next video.