At its premiere at the 1960 Cannes Film Festival, this was booed so much to the extent that Michelangelo Antonioni and Monica Vitti fled the theater. However, after the second screening there was a complete turn around in how it was perceived and it was awarded the Special Jury Prize, going on to become a landmark of European cinema.
During its notorious first showing at Cannes, one scene in particular drew specific derision. It is the scene where Monica Vitti rushes down the hotel corridor looking for Sandro. Audience members were repeatedly shouting "Cut" during this lengthy scene.
The rocky Aeolian island on which the first portion of the film was made - its name is Lisca Bianca - didn't have electricity or running water and was subject to violent weather, including a tornado. At one point, the crew found themselves completely stranded on the island.
The shot of Anna diving off the boat was filmed with assistant director Franco Indovina in a ladies' bathing suit and cap. Lea Massari was in the hospital at the time.
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