The movie was nominated for 2 Oscars: Art Direction-Set Decoration for Cary Odell; Louis Diage, and Costume Design for Jean Louis.

The picture consists of three interrelated stories, two set in Macedonia while the central one is set in London, about the cultural conflicts that have torn the country apart. Greece protested the Academy's labeling of the film's country as Macedonia, so it was changed into Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia).

Spaniard Trueba's win of the Foreign-Language Oscar surprised many industry members, who expected “Farewell, My Concubine,” the entry from Hong Kong, to get the award.

Nominated for 7 Oscars, the film won 4. In 1981, the most-nominated picture was Warren Beatty's romantic historical epic, “Reds,” which received 12 nods, but won only 2; “On Golden Pond,” nominated for 10, winning 3; the action-adventure “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” with 9 nominations and 5 Oscars; and Louis Malle's “Atlantic City,” which lost in each of its five nominated categories.

Ruth Gordon's winning age, seventy-two when Polanski's “Rosemary's Baby” 91968) got released, was encouraging, suggesting the career opportunities available to supporting players when they reach older age.