Fernando Gabeira, now a former politician and a very famous newsman, took part in the action, was arrested and exiled. He wrote the book in which the movie is based on and he was the character of Pedro Cardoso. At the time the movie was nominated to the Oscar, he was a Federal Congressman and, in spite of everything, he was not allowed to go to USA to take part in the party because 30 years before he had taken part in the kidnapping of an American Ambassador.
According to an interview, the director Bruno Barreto cut out one scene where Alan Arkin's character appeared speaking his lines in Portuguese. Alan was very disappointed by the fact that this scene was removed.
The film cast includes two Oscar winners (Alan Arkin and Fisher Stevens) and one Oscar nominee (Fernanda Montenegro).
Brazil's official submission to the 1998's Oscars in the Best Foreign Language film category.
The title in Portuguese ("O que é isso, companheiro?") means "What is this, comrade?" "Companheiro" is a treatment used between members of the left wing. Brazil's president Lula uses to call "companheiro" to a minister or even to a friend.