New Delhi, July 27 -- Elon Musk has taken an unusual role in the distribution and promotion of Citizen Vigilante, a controversial film starring Armie Hammer that was initially denied a rating in Germany over concerns surrounding its extreme violence and treatment of migrants.

The film, directed by German filmmaker Uwe Boll, would likely have attracted limited attention outside specialist film circles had it not been promoted by Musk, one of the world's most influential technology executives and the owner of X. In late June, Musk made the film available to watch for free on the platform for 48 hours, giving it access to a global audience.

The move rapidly changed the film's profile. Following Musk's intervention, Citizen Vigilante briefl...