Palle Kjærulff-Schmidt - born 1931, son of actor Helge Kjærulff-Schmidt - was only 52 when taking this look back on his own work - and less than half way through his years of directing ending in 1999. He wrote seven biographical books, most of them about his many travels and died in 2018 (86 years old).
The title "Hvis man ikke prøver noget" comes from a song, originaly performed by Daimi, written by Klaus Rifbjerg and composed by Bent Fabricius-Bjerre for Kjærulff Schmidt's 1968 movie musical "I den grønne skov".