Go UP Entertainment, the production company, has declared a total expenditure of R$75.1 million for the production of the film “Dark Horse,” which chronicles the life of former President Jair Bolsonaro. This figure has emerged amidst a police and Public Prosecutor’s Office investigation in São Paulo, probing the alleged misappropriation of public funds from a municipal contract to finance the cinematic work.
Documents attached to the inquiry indicate that R$54 million of this amount was spent abroad, while R$20.9 million was disbursed in Brazil. Converted to U.S. dollars, the film’s total cost would have been US$13.39 million, according to an expert report prepared by the defense of businesswoman Karina da Gama, owner of Go UP Entertainment and the NGO Instituto Conhecer Brasil (ICB). The investigation aims to determine if resources from a R$108 million contract, signed with the São Paulo city hall for the installation of Wi-Fi hotspots in peripheral areas, were used in the film’s production.
## Investigation Points to Link Between Wi-Fi Contract and Film Production
São Paulo’s police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office are investigating businesswoman Karina Ferreira da Gama, owner of Go UP Entertainment and the NGO Instituto Conhecer Brasil (ICB). The core of the investigation is a R$108 million contract signed between ICB and the São Paulo City Hall for the installation of Wi-Fi hotspots in low-income neighborhoods of the capital. The suspicion is that public funds allocated to this project may have financed the production of the film “Dark Horse.” Both of the businesswoman’s companies, the production firm and the NGO, operate from the same address.
## Alleged Involvement of Flávio Bolsonaro and Daniel Vorcaro
The negotiations for the financing of the film “Dark Horse” reportedly involved banker Daniel Vorcaro, who is currently detained, and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ). According to the original text, the banker allegedly transferred approximately R$61 million to the film production. There are reports that Flávio Bolsonaro was involved in direct negotiations and exerted pressure for payments, including an attempt to transfer US$24 million, which would have been equivalent to approximately R$134 million at the time.
## Details on Declared Expenses and Source of Funds
The expert report presented by Karina da Gama’s defense, which points to the R$75.1 million in expenses, was prepared by the Institute of Investigative Expertise (IPI) at the request of the businesswoman’s lawyers. However, the document does not provide proof of expenses such as receipts or invoices, which raises questions about the substantiation of these amounts. One of the points of concern in the investigation against Karina da Gama is the presentation of invoices lacking fiscal value in previous accountability reports to the São Paulo City Hall.
## History of the Production Company and NGO Raises Doubts
An aspect that draws attention is the track record of the companies involved. Before “Dark Horse,” Go UP Entertainment had no record of film production activities in Brazil. Similarly, Instituto Conhecer Brasil (ICB) had never been involved in installing Wi-Fi hotspots in São Paulo’s periphery before undertaking the contract with the city hall, a management associated with the Bolsonaro family. These facts add layers to the investigation into the use of public funds.
## Expert Report and Lack of Proof of Public Origin
The private expert hired by Karina da Gama’s defense, Anísio Costa Castelo Branco, stated in his report that he did not identify “cash inflows originating from public resources, governmental transfers, or direct financing.” Despite this, the document was based on contracts, financial spreadsheets, and bank statements from the NGO, without, however, reproducing these documents as proof. The report also does not clarify the origin of the R$20.9 million spent in Brazil by Go Up.
## Previous Statements by the Production Company and the Need for New Investors
In May, Karina Ferreira da Gama had already stated in interviews that the film’s budget was around US$13 million, with 90% of this amount allegedly covered by the former owner of Banco Master, Daniel Vorcaro. According to her, the film still requires funds for the post-production phase, which includes special effects and sound design, but she emphasized that these amounts are less significant. Following Vorcaro’s arrest, the production company and its team reportedly sought new private investors to ensure the project’s continuity.
## Different Figures in Play for Film Financing
The information regarding the financing of the film “Dark Horse” presents various figures that need clarification. The production company declares an expenditure of R$75.1 million. Daniel Vorcaro allegedly allocated R$61 million to the film through a U.S. fund. Previously, Flávio Bolsonaro had reportedly negotiated an amount of approximately R$134 million. In parallel, the municipal Wi-Fi contract, the subject of the investigation, totals R$108 million, intensifying suspicions about the origin of the funds.
## Statements from Those Involved and Current Situation
The ongoing investigations aim to clarify the origin of the resources used in the production of the film “Dark Horse” and the potential irregularities in the application of public funds. The case involves relevant political and business figures, which increases public interest and the complexity of the inquiry. The São Paulo City Hall, through its contract with Karina da Gama’s NGO, and the parties directly linked to the film’s production are the main focus of the authorities.