Brazil Supreme Court probes financing of Bolsonaro biopic “Dark Horse”

The Supreme Court of Brazil (STF) is examining the financing of the biographical film “Dark Horse,” which portrays former president Jair Bolsonaro. The Court’s technical area informed President of the Court, Minister Edson Fachin, that other procedures related to the film’s funding have already been assigned to Minister André Mendonça, who was designated as the relator by prevention.

Lawmakers have alleged that the film’s production, managed by Go Up Entertainment, may have been financed through a network involving banker Daniel Vorcaro, the Master Bank, and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. A complaint filed by PT deputy Lindbergh Farias seeks to expand the investigation to include Jair Bolsonaro and Flávio Bolsonaro, raising concerns about money‑laundering, illicit campaign financing and possible misuse of public resources.

Separate legal actions have affected the film’s production: a São Paulo court ordered the producer to deposit R$ 46,000 as part of a rental dispute for the Hospital Indianópolis, used as a set. Additionally, a parliamentary amendment earmarked R$ 160,000 to a company owned by producer Karina Gama, and a report linked a subcontractor to the PCC criminal organization. The distributor Paris Filmes has declined to handle the movie, citing market and electoral‑season concerns.

These developments converge on a broader controversy over the film’s funding sources, the involvement of high‑profile political figures, and the potential impact on Brazil’s political climate ahead of elections.