The first time a husband and wife both won awards at the Cannes Film Festival in separate categories for the same film, Bille August winning the Palme d'Or for Best Film and his wife Pernilla August winning for Best Actress.
Both Max von Sydow and Pernilla August were directed by Ingmar Bergman prior to starring in this film as his grandfather and mother respectively.
Was originally shot as a six-hour miniseries but cut down to around a three hour film when it premiered at Cannes.
Ingmar Bergman personally picked Bille August to direct due to his love of Pelle the Conqueror (1987) which he admitted to watching around seven times.
First non English language/American film to win the Palme d'Or after three consecutive years. Pelle the Conqueror (1987) was the last non English language/American film to win the award and was also directed by Bille August and featured Max von Sydow in a key role.