While Salve Geral's main storyline is fictional, its background story draws inspiration from a true happening: on the 12th of May 2006, the criminal organization PCC (Primeiro Comando da Capital - First Command of the Capital) led a series of violent attacks against security forces and a few civilian targets spread all over the city of São Paulo. Several police officers were brutally killed in well organized actions that targeted no civilians although the deaths of 4 citizens were registered. Due to sensationalist media, schools, offices, and shopping malls were shut and people took cover in their homes, while the criminals attacked police stations, bank agencies, police officer's homes, and public buses. The wave of violence ceased gradually until it stopped completely two days later.
Brazil's official submission to 82nd Academy Award's Foreign Language in 2010.