Federal Police Seeks Ancine Records on Controversial Bolsonaro Film

Brazil’s Federal Police (Polícia Federal) has given the National Cinema Agency (Ancine) a 10‑day deadline to provide details about the production, financing and administrative procedures of the film ‘Dark Horse’, which portrays the political trajectory of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The request is part of an investigation underway in the Supreme Federal Court (STF) under the rapporteurship of Minister André Mendonça.

According to the PF, the information sought includes the identities of individuals and legal entities linked to the film, such as producers, co‑producers, distributors and legal representatives, as recorded in Ancine’s database. The agency is also asked to clarify whether the movie received any fiscal incentives, federal public resources or other benefits tied to public policies for sector financing.

The probe stems from allegations that millions of reais transferred by businessman Daniel Vorcaro, owner of Banco Master, were used to finance the film and possibly to cover expenses of Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL‑SP) during his self‑imposed exile in the United States. Vorcaro’s transfers were allegedly channeled through a fund managed by the immigration lawyer of Eduardo Bolsonaro, a fact that has raised suspicions about the true destination of the money.

Ancine had already opened an administrative process against the film’s producer, Go Up Entertainment, for shooting the international production ‘Dark Horse’ in Brazil without informing the agency—a violation that could result in a fine ranging from R$2,000 to R$100,000. The producer’s owner, journalist Karina Ferreira da Gama, has never released a film domestically or abroad and entered the project through federal deputy Mário Frias (PL‑SP), who co‑wrote the screenplay. Kara institute Instituto Conhecer Brasil, presided by Ferreira da Gama, is also under STF scrutiny for the receipt of R$2 million in parliamentary amendments from Deputy Frias.

The film, starring American actor Jim Caviezel as Jair Bolsonaro, was slated for a wide release in at least 650 Brazilian cinemas after the 2026 elections, with dubbed copies distributed nationwide. Europa Filmes filed a foreign‑work registration request with Ancine on June 22. Campaign allies of Flávio Bolsonaro (PL‑RJ) have complained that the movie marginalizes his character while giving a prominent role to former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro, which they argue undermines claims that the film is intended to boost his electoral prospects.

The Federal Police’s move adds legal pressure on a project that has already become a political flashpoint, with opponents of the Bolsonaro family using it to allege illicit campaign financing, while supporters claim it is an unfair attack on freedom of expression.