The Shanghai shoot was assisted by the China Film Co-Production Corporation according to the closing credits of the movie.
The film was selected to screen in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Director Toa Fraser's earlier movie 'Dean Spanley' (2008) had previously also screened at TIFF.
According to Dan Slevin at the 'Aro Video' website, ''like [director Martin] Scorsese's Rolling Stones film 'Shine a Light' [2008], [cinematographer Leon] Narbey insisted that every camera operator be a first-rate shooter in his own right''.
The picture's live performances were filmed at the Aotea Centre, The Edge in Auckland, New Zealand during 2012.
This ballet picture celebrated and coincided with the 60th anniversary year of the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB).