The opening scene with the vagina close up is starred by Hannelore Knuts, director Nicolas Provost's girlfriend. This is her only career nude scene.
In reference to the very explicit sex scene between Issaka Sawadogo and Stefania Rocca, director Nicolas Provost said, " In general I have a hard time believing sex scenes in movies because we know it's fake. Actors are often too busy trying to look beautiful. But I felt I needed one sex scene between this strong black man and this beautiful white woman."
Stefania Rocca didn't have problems to perform nude and in a very realistic sex scene. Director Nicolas Provost recalled they just met in Venice on the film festival, they had 15 minutes to talk and she said, "Well, I like your script, and it will be fine. We'll be friends and you can ask me anything you want."
Director Nicholas Provost said he cast Hannelore Knuts, a fashion icon and very famous top model, for the opening full nude scene instead of using a Flemish actress or an extra because he felt it was important to use a symbol representing modern woman in emancipated Europe.
Visually, Nicholas Provost said he based the opening scene of Amadou washing up on the nude beach on the painting from Courbet, The Origin of the World. Provost wanted that first scene to be a "commercial for Europe, for the modern New World that [Amadou] is looking for. His dream."