The original screenplay was written by Ester Krumbachová who's also credited with production design on the movie. The movie was supposed to be directed by Krumbachová then husband Jan Němec. However, after August 1968 Němec was fired from Barrandov film studio and wasn't allowed to direct. The project then went to Jireš. The screenplay was approved in late April 1968, and despite Jireš's 1969 feature "The Joke" being banned by communist authorities, production proceeded on "Valerie". Jaroslava Schallerová was chosen from 1,500 girls who auditioned for the role.