US Producer of 'Dark Horse' Refuses to Provide Financial Documents to Brazilian Federal Police

Michael Brian Davis, a US partner at Go Up, the production company for the film 'Dark Horse', has refused a request from the Brazilian Federal Police (PF) to voluntarily provide financial and corporate documents regarding the film's production in the United States. Davis stated that he will only release accounting, tax, bank, or contractual documents if ordered by a US judge, asserting that requests from Brazilian authorities must be formalized through diplomatic channels and international legal cooperation.

The film is based on the biography of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently imprisoned for an attempted coup. The PF is investigating Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, a 2026 presidential candidate, for his role in negotiating at least US$ 24 million (approximately R$ 122.7 million) with former banker Daniel Vorcaro for the film's production. Investigators suspect that a portion of the funds raised for the movie may have been used to cover the expenses of Eduardo Bolsonaro, another son of the former president, who resides in the United States and reportedly acted as the manager of the funds.

Documents released by STF Minister André Mendonça show that the PF requested invoices and contracts with foreign actors, including Jim Caviezel, to verify the actual expenditure of approximately R$ 54.2 million reported in US territory. While Karina Gama, a partner at Go Up in Brazil, provided some spending records to the STF, she also submitted Davis's refusal to provide the overseas data. Reports from The Intercept and piauí indicate that while US$ 24 million was negotiated, at least US$ 12.3 million was effectively paid.

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has called for full transparency regarding the material, stating that the evidence will confirm there is nothing wrong with the film. One center-left source highlighted that the producer's refusal maintains secrecy over 72 percent of the film's production costs.