Andy Lau and Deannie Ip were chosen in part because of their close relationship to one another as YIp is Lau's godmother and had already played his mother in several films.
Hong Kong's official submission to the Best Foreign Language Film category of the 84th Academy Awards 2012.
Originally, Hui considered retiring after making this film. However, due to the film's success, Ann Hui changed her mind and is considering other projects.
Deannie Ip won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for her role in this film. She is the first Hong Konger to win this prize. In March, she also became the first Hong Konger to win the Asian Film Award for Best Actress. At the same event, director Ann Hui became the first female to win the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Producer Roger Lee began writing loose fragments together and showed them to director Ann Hui. She persuaded him it was enough for a screenplay and encouraged him through his writing process.