American actor Jim Caviezel’s upcoming movie “Dark Horse,” a biopic about former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, is described as a thriller detailing Bolsonaro’s fight against a corrupt establishment. However, the film faced controversy recently due to funding issues linked to a scandal involving Daniel Vorcaro, a banker arrested for allegedly running a multibillion-dollar fraud scheme. Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, Jair’s son and a candidate in the upcoming presidential elections, confirmed he secured funding from Vorcaro but insisted the deal was unrelated to the fraud investigation.
Senator Bolsonaro stated that he sought private funding for the film about his father’s life before the fraud news broke. He claimed he did not offer any favors in return for the funding. The scandal surrounding Vorcaro’s failed bank, Banco Master, has created a political uproar in Brazil, with various politicians trying to distance themselves from the scandal and blame their opponents. Senator Bolsonaro denied any connections to Vorcaro, countering that the media narratives against his father are unfounded, even mentioning President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s prior meeting with Vorcaro.
The Intercept Brasil reported that Vorcaro promised Flavio Bolsonaro $24 million for the film’s production, with half of that reportedly already paid. The publication shared messages that seemed to show a friendly relationship between the senator and the banker. Meanwhile, the production company, GOUP Entertainment, claimed they did not receive any funds from Vorcaro. They stated that Senator Bolsonaro has approached other private investors for the film after Vorcaro failed to meet contract payments.
“Dark Horse” is set to release in September, just ahead of Brazil’s presidential election. The film is directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh and portrays Bolsonaro’s life as a tense political thriller involving power, media, and faith. Caviezel, who plays Bolsonaro, had previously expressed support for him after his 27-year prison sentence for coup plotting. Reportedly, a proposed dinner between Vorcaro and Caviezel, organized by the senator, occurred shortly before Vorcaro’s arrest, though it is unclear if it took place.
Although the film’s total budget remains undisclosed, the suggested commitment of $24 million would place “Dark Horse” among the most expensive Brazilian films ever created, while Flavio Bolsonaro estimated the current costs at around $16 million. This contrasts starkly with the budgets of Brazil’s Oscar nominees, indicating the movie’s significant financial requirements. Filmmaker Kleber Mendonca Filho, a critic of Jair Bolsonaro, celebrated the scandal on social media, highlighting the challenges faced by independent Brazilian cinema compared to the budget of “Dark Horse. “
With information from Reuters
