Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro met actor Jim Caviezel at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on Nov. 5. Caviezel portrays Jair Bolsonaro in the biographical film “Dark Horse.” (Foto: Instagram)
Brazilian Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro met actor Jim Caviezel on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump’s property in Palm Beach, Florida. Caviezel portrays former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in the biographical film “Dark Horse.” The brief greeting was recorded by Flávio’s brother, former lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, who shared the footage on social media.
Flávio and Caviezel were attending events connected to the Conservative Political Action Conference’s annual gala dinner at Trump’s club. Flávio was among those expected to speak at the gathering, which brings together figures from the U.S. conservative movement and international leaders.
Caviezel became widely known for playing Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson’s 2004 film “The Passion of the Christ.” He also starred in “Sound of Freedom,” a 2023 film about child trafficking that drew significant attention among conservative groups in the United States. “Dark Horse,” directed by American filmmaker Cyrus Nowrasteh, is described as a biographical film inspired by events in Jair Bolsonaro’s life. Brazilian lawmaker Mario Frias is associated with the film’s screenplay and production.
The film’s financing is under investigation by Brazil’s Federal Police. Flávio is being investigated in a Supreme Federal Court inquiry into suspicions of money laundering, foreign-currency evasion, corruption and other possible crimes related to funds raised for the production. Justice André Mendonça authorized the investigation, which examines dealings between Flávio and Daniel Vorcaro, the former controller of Banco Master. According to information gathered by police, Flávio was directly involved in negotiations to raise money for the film.
The inquiry concerns a transfer of 61 million reais attributed to Vorcaro for the production. Eduardo Bolsonaro is also a target of the inquiry and has been identified as a possible beneficiary of some of the funds. Investigative documents say Flávio was Vorcaro’s direct contact in the negotiations, while police also identified Eduardo’s role in arranging the financing. Some of the money may have been sent to a U.S. investment fund called Heavengate Development Fund.
Flávio Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing. He says he sought private investors to finance a biographical film about his father and maintains that the discussions did not involve improper benefits. He has also characterized the investigations as political persecution.
