In the early 1970s, Latvian director Jānis Streičs collaborated with poet Ojārs Vācietis to develop a screenplay for a film titled "But at Night You Can Hear." However, the Artistic Council of the Riga Film Studio rejected the script, requiring further revisions which Streičs interpreted as a deliberate stalling tactic. Following this setback, the council redirected Streičs towards a different project, a children's film entitled "The Trustworthy Friend Sancho," written by novelist and screenwriter Jurijs Jakovļevs.

Streičs had already been honing his skills in filmmaking centered around children and adolescents, as seen in his debut "Captain Enriko's Watch" (1967) and the follow-up collaboration with director Ēriks Lācis, "The Boys of Līvsala" (1969). These experiences equipped him with a unique understanding of how to craft narratives that resonate with younger audiences. The new screenplay's premise involves a boy named Sancho Rodriguez who arrives in the Soviet Union from Latin America with his parents, which sets the stage for a politically charged adventure aimed at children.

This marked a significant turn in Soviet-era cinema, as it not only introduced political themes aimed at a younger demographic but also showcased the complexities of cultural exchange during a time when the Soviet Union was known for its strict media control. Streičs' adaptation underscores the challenges faced by filmmakers in navigating bureaucratic hurdles while attempting to introduce innovative narratives into the Soviet film landscape.