The rock band seen in the film was Divinyls who played their own songs and pretty much played themselves. The inclusion of the band was instrumental in the film appealing to a youth audience and providing the movie with a popular soundtrack and soundtrack album. Band singer Christina Amphlett even had a supporting role in the film playing Angela.
Doc Neeson, singer from the Australian rock band The Angels, was originally cast in the lead role of Javo. Neeson screen tested for this part and according to director Ken Cameron, gave a good performance. Neeson withdrew from the film when his rock group The Angels were offered a lucrative international tour about two to three weeks prior to principal photography starting. The role was re-cast with Colin Friels.
In early 1979, development of this film was postponed due to problems with financing. During the interim, this film's producer Patricia Lovell produced Gallipoli (1981).
Appearing in this film, actress Alice Garner, was the daughter of the film's source novelist, Helen Garner. As the novel was auto-biographical, the film therefore is at least partially biographical for Alice Garner.
This film was nominated for 5 Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards including Best Film, Best Editing, Best Cinematography and Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Alice Garner. The film one just the one AFI Award and that was for Best Actress for Noni Hazlehurst.