With the Red State U.S.A. Tour about to kick off at the beginning of March, we are now starting to see Kevin Smith go out of his way to do some marketing and publicity type stuff to help promote it. Yes, this despite the fact that he claimed he would not be doing any press for the film whatsoever. He has done a few interviews since Sundance (including one in Time Magazine, no less), and now the first ever clip from the film has debuted over on MTV Movies Blog. Could it be that he is starting to realize that he can’t do it all alone?

The clip does not reveal much in the way of action, but it does feature Melissa Leo as a covert member of a right-wing church, luring teenage boys in with the promise of booze and sex. The boys are played by Michael Angarano, Kyle Gallner and Nicholas Braun. It may seem like an odd choice as the first bit of footage to reveal to the world, but the fact that Leo is also up for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress may have something to do with it. (She also recently took out ads to promote herself in various Hollywood trades.) Does this clip change your preconceptions of what a Kevin Smith movie can be? Watch it after the jump and let us know what you think.