On Monday, Justice Flávio Dino of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF) authorized the sharing of data gathered by São Paulo's civil police concerning the production of the film “Dark Horse” with the Federal Police (PF). The move was welcomed by allies of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who see it as potential ammunition against Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro and a PL party candidate in the 2026 presidential race.
The data stem from an inquiry into the use of parliamentary amendments to fund the movie, which dramatizes the life of Jair Bolsonaro during his 2022 campaign. Dino’s order aims to speed up the PF’s investigation into whether public money was improperly diverted to the film’s production.
Lula’s supporters hope the PF’s access to the material will accelerate leaks or findings that could damage Flávio Bolsonaro’s candidacy, balancing a series of investigations that also target Lula’s inner circle. Allies of the president noted that while the data sharing occurs within Dino’s amendment inquiry, the information could also bolster the separate probe led by Justice André Mendonça, which examines alleged payments from banker Daniel Vorcaro to finance the film.
In May, an audio surfaced in which Senator Flávio Bolsonaro asked Vorcaro, owner of Banco Master, for funds to support the movie. A subsequent inquiry into the transfer and use of those resources was opened in July at Mendonça’s direction.
The president’s allies complain that the “Dark Horse” investigation proceeds slowly compared to probes into Lula’s son, Fábio Luís Lula da Silva (known as Lulinha), and his former chief of staff, Marco Aurélio Santana Ribeiro (nicknamed Marcola). Both Lulinha and Marcola are under scrutiny for suspected ties to lobbyist Roberta Luchsinger, with investigations split between Mendonça and Dino.
Besides the amendment inquiry, Dino also oversees a third investigation that looks into Lulinha’s activities. Mendonça, meanwhile, remains rapporteur for two inquiries involving Lulinha and one concerning the “Dark Horse” project, claiming he launched the latter after receiving the PF’s request and that no further procedural steps have occurred in the Supreme Court because the Federal Police continue their fact‑finding.
Flávio Bolsonaro’s allies characterize Dino’s Monday decision as an attempt to “dig a hole” for the Workers’ Party (PT) in the electoral contest, suggesting the timing is politically motivated.
As the 2026 election approaches, both major campaigns are contending with overlapping judicial inquiries that could shape public perception, with the “Dark Horse” case emerging as a focal point in the battle over campaign financing and accountability.