According to a number of reports in Cineuropa during the film's pre-production, the original title was "Le combat de l'ange" (The Angel's Battle). This was changed to "Les témoins" (The Witnesses) by the time initial casting was announced in November 2005.
In the film, Mehdi's parents are mentioned a couple of times but never appear on screen. Michèle Moretti, who had worked with André Téchiné on several of his earlier films, was cast as the mother and filmed some material, but her scenes did not make the final cut; however, her name was still listed as playing Mehdi's mother in the press notes given to the media for the film's premiere at the Berlin Film Festival 2007, suggesting that some of the material was cut very late in post-production. In the final film itself she is not listed in the cast but is thanked in the end credits instead.
The third collaboration between André Téchiné and Emmanuelle Béart, following I Don't Kiss (1991) and Strayed (2003).
Three of the cast were nominated for César Awards for their performances in the film: Michel Blanc (Adrien) for Best Actor (Meilleur acteur), Sami Bouajila (Mehdi) for Best Supporting Actor (Meilleur acteur dans un second rôle), and Johan Libéreau (Manu) for Most Promising Actor (Meilleur espoir masculin), with Bouajila winning in his category.