Universal Pictures financed this film in exchange for worldwide sales rights. After this film was finished, Universal thought that it was too quirky for a big studio release. So Universal offered this film to Peter Schlessel (then-CEO of Focus Features, Universal's specialty division). But Peter Schlessel passed on this film. Afterwards, Indie distributor A24 jumped at the chance to release this film in the USA, and this film enjoyed USA box office success and got two major Oscar nominations. Universal vowed not to let the same situation happen again.