The film was executively produced by Pedro Almodóvar and features Mercedes Morán, María Alche, Carlos Belloso, Alejandro Urdapilleta, and Julieta Zylberberg.

One day, in the midst of a large crowd watching the performance of a musician playing the theremin, Dr. Jano, a participant in the conference and hotel guest, rubs up sexually against Amalia.

Writer and director Lucrecia Martel said, "The film isn't strictly autobiographical, but what I put in it is my personal experience in life, my memories.

"[14] Kevin Thomas, critic for the Los Angeles Times, wrote, "[the film] reveals the style, insight and confidence that are the marks of a major director."

"[15] Film critic Ruthe Stein wrote, "Martel is especially good at capturing a claustrophobic environment, and she wisely leaves ambiguous the question of the doctor's complicity in Amalia's frenzied state.

[17] The site's critics consensus reads, "This provocative, lyrical drama mixes themes of forbidden sexuality and redemptive faith with a touch of humanism in a memorable, if disorienting, visual style.