The film was a production between Colombia and Cuba, made with a budget of 300,000 dollars. Focine, the Colombian Institutional Company of Cinematography, gave 200,000 and el Instituto Cubano de Arte e Industria Cinematográficos, ICAIC, contributed 100,000 dollars. It was photographed by Cuban cameraman Mario Garcia Joya and it was edited in La Habana. The film was shot on location in the department of Tolima, Colombia, the director's native region, in Ambalema, Armero, Guamo, Honda, Mariquita, Natagaima, Prado, Purificación, Hacienda El Triunfo (Tolima). The main location was the city of Armero. Four months after finishing principal photography of the film, Amero was completely destroyed by the eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz.