In Germany, although released uncut in cinemas at 91 minutes in 1977, public outcry caused for several scenes to be removed on its home video releases, namely all instances of nudity, sexuality and death involving children, bringing the running time down to 77 minutes. It's largely unseen in all but a few countries primarily for this reason. Maladolescenza is known primarily for its use of a young actor and two 11-year-old pubescent actresses in scenes involving both nudity and simulated sex. Chosen to play Sylvia was young Eva Ionesco, herself no stranger to controversy, as her mother was infamous in their native France for her photos featuring a then five-year-old Ionesco in semi-sexual artistic photography. The film was co-produced by two Munich companies as well as an Italian enterprise, filmed from 17 August to 16 September 1976, in upper Austria and Kärnten.
Fabrizio is a solitary boy with only his dog for company Laura is a sweet girl, but she lacks confidence. Laura (Lara Wendel, age 12) and Fabrizio (Martin Loeb, age 18) have been meeting every summer in the forest by her parent's summer home.