Politics
Vorcaro, Flávio Bolsonaro and the film Dark Horse: what we know
Reports showed that Senator Flávio Bolsonaro negotiated with Vorcaro money for Dark Horse, a film about Jair Bolsonaro. The payments total about R$65 million and are under investigation.
In this article
The 30-second summary
- On May 13, 2026, The Intercept Brasil published audio recordings and messages in which Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL, Rio de Janeiro) negotiates with Vorcaro the funding of Dark Horse, a film about Jair Bolsonaro. The talks involved R$134 million, according to the report. (Intercept Brasil)
- According to The Intercept, at least US$10.6 million (about R$61 million) was paid between February and May 2025. In September 2026, piauí magazine revealed another US$1.6 million, sent in September 2025. (Intercept Brasil, CNN Brasil)
- Flávio initially denied it. He later acknowledged the contact and said he was seeking investment for the film. (Agência Pública)
- Businessman “Mineiro”, identified by the Federal Police as the go-between for the payments, reached a plea deal with prosecutors. (Congresso em Foco)
What the report revealed
The Intercept Brasil obtained messages, documents and audio recordings of conversations between Flávio Bolsonaro and Vorcaro about funding Dark Horse. In one recording, the senator presses for payments and warns that production could stop. According to the report, other intermediaries took part in the conversations, including Eduardo Bolsonaro and congressman Mário Frias, the film's screenwriter (Intercept Brasil, Agência Pública).
The money did not come directly from Vorcaro's companies, nor did it go straight to the film's production company in the United States, Go Up Entertainment. The payments were routed through a US fund (CNN Brasil).
How much was paid
| Who revealed it | What it showed | When it was paid |
|---|---|---|
| The Intercept Brasil, May 2026 | At least US$10.6 million (about R$61 million), in six transfers | February to May 2025 |
| piauí, with data from the Coaf financial intelligence unit, September 2026 | Another US$1.6 million | September 16, 2025 |
| Poder360, September 2026 | A total of about R$65 million, at each date's exchange rate | 2025 |
Sources: Intercept Brasil, CNN Brasil, Poder360
The September 2025 payment was made eight days after Flávio pressed for overdue payments. It contradicts the senator's statement that Vorcaro's last payment had been in May 2025 (CNN Brasil).
The plea deal of “Mineiro”
Antonio Carlos Freixo Júnior, known as “Mineiro”, owns Entre Investimentos, a company the Federal Police identifies as the go-between for Vorcaro's transfers to the film. He reached a cooperation agreement with prosecutors (Congresso em Foco), approved by Justice André Mendonça on September 9, 2026 (Wikipedia (EN)).
According to Poder360, the cooperating witness describes transfers made at Vorcaro's request and deliveries of cash in suitcases (Poder360).
The investigations
- July 23, 2026: at the request of the Federal Police and with a favorable opinion from prosecutors, Mendonça authorizes an investigation into the funding of Dark Horse (Wikipédia).
- September 10, 2026: with authorization from Justice Flávio Dino, the Federal Police launches Operation Make Up. Targets include congressman Mário Frias (PL, São Paulo) and producer Karina Gama, in an investigation into the alleged diversion of congressional budget amendments (Wikipedia (EN), Wikipédia).
What those named say
- Flávio Bolsonaro denied the information when contacted by The Intercept. He later acknowledged the contact with Vorcaro and said he was seeking investment for the film, denying any wrongdoing (Agência Pública, Wikipédia).
- The production company Go Up and Mário Frias said in May 2026 that they had not received money from Vorcaro. Days later, the company's owner said Vorcaro accounted for more than 90% of the film's budget, through a fund (Wikipédia).
- Vorcaro's lawyers say the leaked information is selective, fragmented and taken out of context (Gazeta do Povo).
Frequently asked questions
What is Dark Horse?
It is a film about Jair Bolsonaro. According to the owner of the production company, Vorcaro accounted for more than 90% of the budget, through a fund in the United States.
How much did Vorcaro pay toward the film?
Adding up what had been revealed by September 2026, about R$65 million, according to Poder360. The original talks, according to The Intercept, involved R$134 million.
Is the film's funding under investigation?
Yes. Justice André Mendonça authorized an investigation into the funding in July 2026, and the Federal Police carried out an operation on the matter in September. Flávio Bolsonaro denies any wrongdoing.
Sources for this page
We compiled what these outlets and documents published. Click to read the original. Most sources are in Portuguese.
- Intercept Brasil: Áudio: Flávio Bolsonaro negociou com Daniel Vorcaro R$ 134 milhões para bancar filme sobre Jair (May 13, 2026)
- CNN Brasil: Dark Horse: Vorcaro repassou US$ 1,6 mi a mais que o admitido por Flávio (Sep 2026)
- Agência Pública: Flávio Bolsonaro, Vorcaro, Master: o escândalo do filme Dark Horse (May 2026)
- Congresso em Foco: Dark Horse: PGR fecha delação com empresário ligado a Vorcaro (Sep 2026)
- Poder360: Filme “Dark Horse” recebeu R$ 65 milhões de Daniel Vorcaro (Sep 2026)
- Wikipedia (EN): Banco Master scandal (verbete com referências)
- Poder360: Delação relata malas de dinheiro e remessas de Vorcaro (Sep 2026)
- Wikipédia: Escândalo do Banco Master (verbete com referências)
- Gazeta do Povo: Defesa de Vorcaro ataca vazamentos e “espetacularização” do Caso Master (Sep 2026)