Brazil’s Federal Police is conducting two separate investigations into the financing of “Dark Horse,” an unreleased film about former President Jair Bolsonaro. The inquiries were authorized by different justices of Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF) and examine different possible sources of funding.
The cases converge on one question: where the money used to produce the film came from. The first inquiry, overseen by Justice Flávio Dino, examines whether congressional amendments—budget funds allocated by lawmakers—were improperly redirected to organizations connected to the production.
The second, led by Justice André Mendonça, investigates whether money linked to Daniel Vorcaro, the controller of Banco Master, was used to finance the film. This article is based on single-source reporting from CNN Brasil.
Dino’s Inquiry Into Amendments
Dino was already handling STF proceedings concerning possible irregularities and transparency problems in the use of congressional amendments. The film entered that investigation after federal lawmakers Tabata Amaral of the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB-SP) and Henrique Vieira of the Socialism and Liberty Party (Psol-RJ) requested an inquiry within a case under Dino’s jurisdiction.
The Federal Police is examining R$2 million, roughly US$370,000 in an approximate conversion, allocated to Instituto Conhecer Brasil. The institute is led by Karina da Gama, who also heads the production company responsible for the Bolsonaro biographical film.
According to CNN Brasil, the investigation did not begin because of “Dark Horse.” It was already underway as part of the broader examination of congressional amendments before the film-related allegations were added.
Mendonça’s Inquiry Into Vorcaro
Mendonça is overseeing STF investigations into alleged fraud involving Banco Master and Vorcaro. During that case, investigators identified a suspicion that funds connected to the businessman may have been directed to the film’s financing.
After the Office of the Prosecutor-General (PGR) supported the request, Mendonça authorized the Federal Police to investigate whether millions of reais linked to Vorcaro helped pay for the production.
The two inquiries therefore address separate allegations. Dino’s case focuses on a possible misuse of congressional amendments, while Mendonça’s examines a possible financial link to Vorcaro. The available reporting does not establish that either allegation has been proven.
Defense Seeks Unified Case
The defense of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, a member of the Liberal Party (PL) and the former president’s son, asked STF President Edson Fachin to place all proceedings related to the film under Mendonça’s jurisdiction.
The lawyers argue that the amendments-related case reached Dino because Amaral and Vieira filed their request within an existing proceeding, rather than because Dino had prior jurisdiction over facts involving the film. They also warn that parallel investigations could produce overlapping investigative steps or conflicting decisions.
Fachin has not yet ruled on the request. Until he does, the two investigations will continue separately—one focused on congressional amendments and the other on a possible flow of money connected to Vorcaro.