The film is set at the same time Brezhnev died, which occurred in 1982. But on the stamp of the telegram Álvaro gets in the end of the film, we can read 1984, the year when the film was finished being shot and released.
The reflection of the lighting equipment can be seen, on walls, in several shots.
When Álvaro stands up and walks out of the detective's office, the reflection of several crew members can be seen.