ASCENSION OUTREACH, INC. and RESISTANCE CINEMA
Present
FIRST TUESDAYS FILM SERIES
Tuesday, August 2, 7pm
Church of the Ascension Parish Hall
12 West 11th Street
Admission free: donations appreciated
Merchants of Doubt
Participant Media and Sony Pictures, Directed by ROBERT KENNER, written by ROBERT KENNER and KIM ROBERTS, from the book “Merchants Of Doubt” by NAOMI ORESKES and ERIC M. CONWAY. (2015, 94 min.)
In the 1950s American tobacco companies became alarmed at the increasing scientific evidence pointing to the connection between smoking and lung cancer. A strategy was developed to fund dummy institutions that would produce “scientific” research challenging the claim and create doubt in the public mind. The strategy was so successful that it became a model for other corporate sectors. Most recently it has been used to great effect in denying the global scientific consensus on global warming and climate change.
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.
Join us for this important film and some lively Q&A to follow.
