It is a co-production of the following: the Belgian firms Daylight and Minds Meet, the French firm Formosa Productions, the Luxembourgish firm Tarantula Films, and the Pakistani firm Bodhicitta Works. Streker stated that he did not feel inspired by the Sheikh murder until his discovery that the killer, her brother, loved his sister. As it was based on a real case, a lawyer reviewed the script to ensure that it was compliant with
Belgian law. Streker added that he did not want to have obvious villains, quoting
Jean Renoir, who stated, in Streker's words "there were never any bad guys in his films because each of them always had his reasons." Streker used a consultant to ensure depictions of
Pakistani culture were accurate. The final actress he cast was El Arabi even though he initially believed the role would be the first one filled. Desiring an "
Elizabeth Taylor" for the Zahira role, he specified this aspect in capital letters, and added that she was "une des plus grandes actrices qui ait jamais existé" ("one of the greatest actresses who ever existed"). He also wanted someone who was Francophone, about 18 years old, and a person who would be credible as a Belgian Pakistani. Streker stated that he had such specific requirements that he could not find an actress of actual Pakistani heritage; instead he chose an actress of Moroccan heritage. He initially did not especially notice El Arabi but some videotapes of her already done convinced him she could fill the role, and he ordered a second audition for her. He stated that in every scene, Zahira's point of view was in the opening and ending. As part of the filming she had to learn some
Urdu. Streker is personally friends with Gourmet and already knew him. He learned about Houbani through one of his acquaintances. In regards to Karimi, Streker decided to use him after he found out that Karimi, who he was familiar with from watching the film
A Separation, spoke French. ==Release==