Sony Pictures Classics has released the first Merchants of Doubt trailer for Food, Inc. director Robert Kenner’s new documentary about professional “doubt manufacturers”.  The film delves into the intricacies of public perception, shining a light on the people that are employed to sway how the public views major issues.  While the film covers a variety of different topics (including toxic chemicals and pharmaceuticals), its main focus is on the “debate” over climate change or, more accurately, the perception of a debate over climate change.

Through interviews with employees both former and current, as well as with leading experts in a number of fields, Kenner’s documentary gets to the bottom of how easily public opinion can be manipulated.  I caught the movie at TIFF last fall (read my full review here), and while it’s certainly full of fascinating information, it does feel like preaching to the choir a bit.  Those who are convinced that climate change is a fabrication aren’t likely to watch this film, so the majority of its audience feels like it’s destined to be those that are already aware of the corruption and manipulation involved in the so-called debate over quite possibly the most dire issue of our time.  But hopefully I'm wrong.

Anyway, you can check out the first Merchants of Doubt trailer below followed by a new poster.  Regardless of your personal beliefs, it’s a film that’s well worth checking out.

Click over to Apple to watch in HD.  Merchants of Doubt opens in New York and Los Angeles on March 6th.

Here’s the official synopsis for Merchants of Doubt:

Inspired by the acclaimed book by Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway, Merchants of Doubt takes audiences on a satirically comedic, yet illuminating ride into the heart of conjuring American spin. Filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the curtain on a secretive group of highly charismatic, silver-tongued pundits-for-hire who present themselves in the media as scientific authorities – yet have the contrary aim of spreading maximum confusion about well-studied public threats ranging from toxic chemicals to pharmaceuticals to climate change.