Salos with the anti-immigration film that was banned in Germany and uploaded by Musk to X - "I'm not a Nazi" says the director

A controversial film titled *Citizen Vigilante*, directed by Uwe Boll, has sparked significant debate after being banned in Germany and subsequently uploaded by Elon Musk on his social media platform X for a limited period of 48 hours. The film features actor Armie Hammer, who was previously removed from Hollywood due to allegations involving sexual misconduct and cannibalistic fantasies. In *Citizen Vigilante*, Hammer plays Sanders, a wealthy American entrepreneur disillusioned with the law who takes justice into his own hands against violent criminals, immigrants, and corrupt officials.

The film, which has been described as one of the worst ever made, faced a ban in Germany, where Boll was born. The German Film Board of Classification (FSK) refused to assign an age rating to the movie, effectively blocking its legal screening in cinemas, physical distribution, or streaming platforms within the country. Despite this restriction, Musk's upload on X brought the film unprecedented exposure, surpassing the reach of a conventional theatrical release.

*Citizen Vigilante* opens with a scene depicting a mother being brutally murdered by migrants in front of her terrified son in an anonymous European city. The narrative follows Sanders as he becomes a self-appointed vigilante, dispensing his version of justice against violent offenders, immigrants, and corrupt politicians. Critics argue that the film transforms anti-immigrant sentiment into a fantasy of personal retribution, drawing comparisons to action films such as *John Wick*. However, Boll insists that the film reflects current societal issues rather than serving as a mere fantasy.

Boll, known for provoking controversy throughout his career, claims that *Citizen Vigilante* might be the most contentious film he has ever directed. Speaking to the *Telegraph*, he emphasized that the film addresses real-world problems and highlighted the relevance of its themes following recent events in Belfast. He expressed hope that the film would soon be released in Britain, noting strong interest and response in America, while acknowledging the reluctance of European audiences to engage with politically charged cinema.

Inspired by a real-life incident in Hamburg in 2016, where a group of teenagers sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl and were later released with suspended sentences, Boll criticized the media coverage of such cases, stating that it often portrayed perpetrators as "poor souls." He argued that the political environment in Europe has become illogical, with people losing their sense of direction. He stressed the distinction between hate speech and actual violence but acknowledged that the events depicted in the film have lost significance in public discourse.

The decision by the FSK to deny the film an age rating is viewed by Boll as deliberate censorship. He mentioned hiring a lawyer to protest the decision but lost the case by a vote of six to two, with the committee citing the film’s incitement of violence against immigrants. Boll clarified that he is not a Nazi, emphasizing that being conservative in any aspect—socially, sexually, or politically—is now equated with being a Nazi. He further stated that he does not consider himself conservative, having grown up as a Social Democrat and voting for leaders like former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder.

Regarding his choice of Armie Hammer, Boll explained that he believed Hammer was a talented actor who had fallen out of favor and needed work. This statement added another layer of complexity to the controversy surrounding the film, positioning it not only as a provocative commentary on immigration but also as a vehicle for Hammer’s return to prominence in Hollywood. Boll expressed a desire to cast actors who have faced challenges within the system, highlighting the importance of diverse narratives in cinema.