The Great Robbery of Brazil’s Central Bank, Like You’ve Never Seen It Before

On March 16, a new documentary series about one of Brazil’s most spectacular heists arrives on Netflix. With never-before-seen testimony from police and criminals, as well as plenty of archival footage, Hei$t: The Great Robbery of Brazil’s Central Bank reconstructs the historic robbery of the Central Bank of Brazil, located in Fortaleza, in the state of Ceará. In August 2005, using a tunnel nearly 80 meters long, robbers made their way into the bank’s vault and escaped with more than 160 million reais—or nearly 3.5 tons of cold, hard cash.

With 3 episodes, each 50 minutes long, the documentary recreates key moments from the cat-and-mouse game between the thieves and the federal police over the course of an investigation that’s lasted more than 5 years. It was one of the biggest bank robberies ever in the history of Brazil—and in the world. The show also reveals unexpected details about the heist, as well as its tragic consequences. It seemed like the perfect crime, but extortion, kidnappings and murders followed in its wake, leading even the robbers themselves to believe that the money was cursed.

Produced by Mixer Films for Netflix, Hei$t: The Great Robbery of Brazil’s Central Bank was written and directed by Daniel Billio, with Rodrigo Astiz serving as general director and research led by Claudia Belfort. Adriana Marques, Íris Sodré Mendes, and Mauricio Hirata Filho are executive producers. Gavulino Filmes and Marcos Tardin served as producing partners.

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Quincy Thomas

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