Bolsonaro biopic 'Dark Horse' moves toward Ancine registration

The political biopic "Dark Horse", portraying former president Jair Bolsonaro, has taken its first procedural step toward a Brazilian theatrical release. Distributor Europa Filmes submitted a Registro de Obra Estrangeira (ROE) to the Agência Nacional do Cinema (Ancine) on 22 June, classifying the film as a foreign work. Completion of the ROE is required before Ancine can issue a Certificado de Registro de Título (CRT) and the Ministry of Justice can assign an age rating, after which the film could be shown in cinemas.

Ancine is reviewing additional documentation because parts of the production were filmed in Brazil without the agency’s prior notification. The film’s financing has drawn scrutiny after Intercept reports that Flávio Bolsonaro sought R$ 61 million from banker Daniel Vorcáro to fund the project, prompting investigations into possible misuse of campaign resources. Paris Filmes declined to distribute the title; Europa Filmes assumed the role, but major cinema chains remain hesitant, citing low box‑office prospects and the risk of heightened political polarization ahead of the October presidential election. A request to the Supreme Electoral Court to postpone the release on grounds of electoral propaganda was rejected by court president Nunes Marques.