Germany bans 'Citizen Vigilante'; Musk posts it on X

Germany bans 'Citizen Vigilante' and Musk posts it in full on X: censorship or marketing?

Germany has banned the film 'Citizen Vigilante', an independent action movie that, according to some, promotes armed self-defence in response to immigration. The decision has not gone down well in certain quarters, which see it as a new chapter in state censorship. But what has made the case go viral is that Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), has posted the entire film on his platform, openly defying the ban.

The film, directed by the same filmmaker behind 'Rampage' (2011), has been described by those who have seen it as "a dud" or "inferior" to its predecessor. However, some consider it a "cult film" despite its narrative flaws, such as scenes that contradict the coherence of the main character. What seems clear is that, beyond its artistic quality, the film has been received as a symbol of resistance against political correctness.

Some argue that the German ban is nothing more than a ploy to give it wings: turning it into a cult object and, in the process, fuelling an extremist discourse that serves both the right and the left in their continued polarisation. Others, more sceptical, point out that the film is so bad that not even censorship can save it. What is certain is that, with Musk involved, the publicity strategy has taken off: never has such a mediocre film received so much free exposure.

Could the German veto turn out to be the best marketing 'Citizen Vigilante' could have received?