Based on the life and career of composer and virtuoso violinist Niccolò Paganini, it was Kinski's only film as director as well as his final acting appearance before his death in 1991.

Kinski felt that he and Paganini had led similar lives, and both gave "demonic" performances in their own fields that often sparked great controversy.

Tosca D'Aquino recalled with shock her experience in the film: "I suffered the harassment of Kinski's very difficult nature.

"[2] In his autobiography, Kinski, describing one of these scenes with D'Aquino, wrote, "She was embarrassed and closed her legs.

The release contained deleted and extended scenes, Cannes Film Festival interviews, and a director's cut (95 minutes).