Flavio Bolsonaro’s Film Funding Request Sparks Controversy

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, a presidential contender, asked imprisoned banker Daniel Vorcaro for R$134 million (?$26.8 million) to finance a biopic of his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. Voice memos and texts released by Intercept Brasil on 13 May 2026 were later confirmed by Flávio in a video statement.

The GuardianMillion-dollar order for Jair Bolsonaro’s film exposes Flávio Bolsonaro to the international press and turns Banco Master into a key player in the presidential race.Reuters

Vorcaro, majority owner of the now-defunct Master Bank, faces accusations of defrauding about 800 000 clients and causing losses of roughly R$60 billion. He is jailed pending trial for alleged bribery of public officials. Jair Bolsonaro remains under humanitarian house arrest after a 27-year sentence for an attempted coup.

Reuters

• Flávio Bolsonaro – Senator, presidential hopeful.

The Guardian

• Daniel Vorcaro – Banker, former Master Bank owner, incarcerated.

Reuters

• Jair Bolsonaro – Former president, film subject.

Million-dollar order for Jair Bolsonaro’s film exposes Flávio Bolsonaro to the international press and turns Banco Master into a key player in the presidential race.

• Jim Caviezel – Actor proposed for lead role.

The Guardian

• Cyrus Nowrasteh – Director attached to the project.

The Guardian

• Romeu Zema – Minas Gerais governor, critic.

The Guardian

• Celso Rocha de Barros – Sociologist commenting on the campaign.

The Guardian

• Nov. (year unspecified) – Central Bank orders liquidation of Banco Master; Mar. 2026 – Vorcaro jailed.

Reuters

• Feb.–May 2025 – R$61 million reportedly released to the film project.

The Guardian

• 13–14 May 2026 – Recordings released, Flávio admits request; market fallout reported.

The Guardian

• Oct. 2026 – Scheduled presidential election.

Reuters

Requested amount: R$134 million (?$24–$26.8 million). An advertising executive claims at least $12 million was paid. Real depreciated >2 % against the dollar, closing above R$5 per USD. Bovespa fell 1.8 %.

The Guardian

Flávio called the financing a “private sponsorship, with no favors in return.” Vorcaro’s lawyer declined comment; the film’s production company and its executive producer, a former Bolsonaro minister, denied receiving money. Jair Bolsonaro did not comment.

Reuters

Governor Romeu Zema called the recordings “a slap in the face to decent Brazilians.” A conservative congressman suggested replacing Flávio with his wife, Michelle. Sociologist Celso Rocha de Barros warned the scandal could erode Flávio’s anti-establishment appeal.

The Guardian

An advertising executive says $12 million was paid, while producers say the funds never arrived. Flávio’s denial followed by admission leaves the money’s destination unclear; tax documents confirm an intermediary transfer but name no recipient.

The Guardian

• “We’re at a very decisive moment for the film and, as there are a lot of outstanding payments, everyone is tense … Imagine us defaulting on someone like Jim Caviezel, or Cyrus … It would be very bad,” — Flávio Bolsonaro, voice memo

The Guardian

• “a slap in the face to decent Brazilians” — Romeu Zema, governor of Minas Gerais

The Guardian

• “The way this money was raised still needs to be investigated …” — Film producers

The Guardian

The revelations have intensified scrutiny of Flávio’s presidential bid, sparked speculation about alternative conservative candidates, and contributed to a sharp devaluation of the real and a 1.8 % drop in the Bovespa. Ongoing investigations may further shape voter sentiment ahead of the October election.

The Guardian