'The Edge of democracy' trivia and fun facts
Corruption nowadays
Shortly after the events of this film, questions emerged over the financial dealings of elected president Jair Bolsonaro's eldest son, Flávio Bolsonaro, also a recently elected senator, amid mounting allegations he had engaged in an illegal, tithe-like practice by which politicians siphon off part of their employees' wages. The plot thickened when Brazilian newspaper O Globo alleged that Flávio Bolsonaro had employed the mother and wife of an alleged death squad leader whose gang was suspected of involvement in the assassination of the Rio councilor Marielle Franco. Fabrício Queiroz, a longstanding friend and employee of Brazil's president, claims to be the one who have recommended the women for those jobs. Queiroz was also caught sending undeclared large amounts of money to the president's wife and son in the form of many small bank deposits. Investigations on the case were suspended after Jair Bolsonaro questioned and coerced investigating forces and later minister Dias Toffoli accepted a request from Flávio Bolsonaro's defense team to cease the case.
Interview denied
Brazil's biggest newspaper, Folha de S. Paulo, requested an interview with Lula in prison during the 2018 presidential election campaign. However, Supreme Court Justice Luiz Fux (a friend of judge Moro and prosecutor Dallagnol) ruled against the interview taking place, as the team reportedly feared it would ruin Bolsonaro's chances at the election;.
Social Media
On his campaign, Jair Bolsonaro relied heavily on Social Media, and his most potent weapon was WhatsApp. With the assistance of Steve Bannon, his close supporters illegally hired many companies to create hundreds of groups to spread misinforming and misleading content against his main political rival Fernando Haddad (from the Workers Party).