The film is based on real people, Jacques Mayol (played by Jean-Marc Barr) and Enzo Maiorca (named Enzo Molinari in the film, played by Jean Reno). Jacques Mayol participated in the writing of the script.
The film had been banned in Italy for several years because Enzo Maiorca believed his image in the film had been distorted, but the ban was lifted following a lawsuit by Jacques Mayol.
French Jacques Mayol (1927-2001) was born in Shanghai, China and hanged himself in Elba, Italy. He is the holder of several world free diving records.
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