Actor of Dark Horse accuses Lula of blocking film in Brazil
The American actor Jim Caviezel accused President Lula of acting politically to prevent the release of Dark Horse in Brazil. In an interview with journalist Lara Logan, he stated that institutional barriers were erected before the 2026 elections. The film's premiere in the country is delayed until 2027.
US actor Jim Caviezel, who plays former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) in the film Dark Horse, accused president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) of acting politically to prevent the launch and display of audiovisual production in Brazil. The statement was granted during participation in the interview program run by the American journalist Lara Logan and published in X.
According to the artist, institutional and legal barriers were erected by the Lula government to contain the screening of the film in Brazilian cinemas before the 2026 elections. “They made it illegal for us to show this movie there before the election. Now, they will try to prevent the exhibition once and for all,” said the protagonist of the work, directing direct criticism of Lula.
Caviezel’s speech resonated in the polarized political scene, raising questions about freedom of expression and the role of the State in the regulation of audiovisual works. The source did not detail what the institutional barriers mentioned by the actor would be, nor did he present documents proving government interference.
Actor details preparation process
Caviezel also reported how he was engaged in the role of Jair Bolsonaro. As explained in the interview, the artist’s interest in researching Bolsonaro’s personal trajectory and political rise arose after having access to the first drafts and scope of the film project.
The actor revealed that public demonstrations of support made by the US president Donald Trump in relation to the Brazilian leader also exerted decisive weight in the deepening of his research for the composition of the character. The source did not detail what specific Trump demonstrations were cited by Caviezel.
This immersion, according to the actor, was fundamental to understand the motivations and the political context surrounding the figure of Bolsonaro, allowing a more faithful and complex interpretation.
Launch Delayed to 2027
The arrival of Dark Horse in Brazilian cinemas, however, still faces undefined distribution schedule. Initially planned for the commercial circuit in the second half, the formal release of the film in the domestic market has been postponed and is scheduled to occur only in the course of 2027.
Sources linked to the exhibition sector and to the distributor responsible for the broadcasting in the country point out that the postponement aims to structure a wider publicity campaign and to circumvent the tightening and scrutiny environment that surrounded production in 2026. The source did not detail the main challenges faced by the distributor in this process.
The postponement, however, does not eliminate the uncertainties about the commercial viability of the film in a market sensitive to political issues, especially in an election year.
What the film portrays
The feature film, directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh, addresses the main milestones in the public life of the former head of the national executive, from the parliamentary action and the knife attack suffered in Juiz de Fora (MG), in 2018, to the arrival of the President of the Republic.
The production promises a biographical portrait of Bolsonaro, mixing historical events and political backstage. The source did not detail whether the film will bring unreleased scenes or exclusive testimonies, but the expectation is that the work will generate heated debates between supporters and critics of the former president.
Nowrasteh's direction, known for political and religious productions, suggests a narrative tone aimed at building a conservative hero, which may intensify the polarization around the film.
Interview with Lara Logan
The interview was broadcast on the communication channels of the South African reporter based in Estados Unidos Lara Logan, a professional with a broad trajectory in covering international conflicts. Over four decades in the media sector, the journalist has accumulated distinctions from the international press sector, including Emmy Awards and the Daniel Pearl Award, awarded by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.
In recent years, after disconnecting from the major American corporate television conglomerates, Logan began to act as an independent commentator and presenter, maintaining digital platforms of geopolitical analysis and interviews aimed at the conservative public.
This change in editorial profile reinforces the ideological alignment of the interview, which gave room for Caviezel’s accusations without immediate counterpoints. The source did not detail whether there was an attempt to contact the Brazilian government for a response.
Repercussions and next steps
Caviezel’s statements should fuel the debate about freedom of expression and alleged state interference in cultural works. So far, the Plateau Palace has not publicly spoken about the allegations, and the source has not detailed whether there will be any official response.
Meanwhile, production on Dark Horse continues on hold, with the promise of debuting only in 2027. The Brazilian public, divided between supporters and opponents of Bolsonaro, is waiting to see if the film can overcome the barriers pointed out by the actor and reach the screens.
To keep up with the unfolding of this story and other news from the national political scene, continue browsing the Boca no Trombone portal.
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