Brazilian Federal Police Investigate Financing of 'Dark Horse' Film Featuring Jair Bolsonaro

The Brazilian Federal Police are investigating the financing of the film 'Dark Horse', a production about former President Jair Bolsonaro, amid suspicions of corruption, money laundering, and currency evasion. Documents released by Supreme Court Minister Andre Mendonca reveal that the production company, Go Up Entertainment, received at least US$ 12.3 million from banker Daniel Vorcaro. These funds were transferred via Entre Investimentos to the Havengate Development Fund in the United States, which is managed by Paulo Calixto, a lawyer for Eduardo Bolsonaro. The investigation is also examining whether public funds from parliamentary amendments or a contract with the Sao Paulo city government were illegally diverted to the film.

Financial records detail significant expenditures for the film's lead actor, Jim Caviezel. One budget spreadsheet indicates a requested fee of US$ 4 million for Caviezel, a figure that industry professionals cited as excessive. Additionally, the production spent over R$ 800,000 on security and luxury lodging for Caviezel and his team at the Hotel Unique in Sao Paulo, including R$ 298,000 for a stay that included tips and massages. Other costs included R$ 10,000 for a wig for Caviezel and R$ 3,000 for hair extensions for the actress playing Michelle Bolsonaro.

The investigation highlights the involvement of Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who reportedly met with Daniel Vorcaro to discuss the project. The Federal Police also noted a discrepancy between the film's budget and standard audiovisual market values in Brazil. Director Cyrus Nowrasteh disputed these comparisons, arguing that the reported figures include marketing costs, which are typically listed separately in the United States. Meanwhile, Flavio Bolsonaro has stated that the financing is a private matter involving a private film and contains no public resources.

While the center and center-left reports focus heavily on the potential criminal nature of the funding and the high actor fees, the center-right report emphasizes the specific luxury expenditures and the ambitious revenue projections for the film, which far exceed the earnings of the most successful film in Brazilian history.