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Trans documentarian Sam Feder's latest film "Increased Examination" offers a compelling two-part perspective – simultaneously an personal portrait of a prominent trans advocate and a critical analysis of journalistic coverage about trans rights.

Legal Struggle at the Supreme Court

The film follows ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he gets ready for legal presentations in the landmark highest court case US v Skirmetti. This legal battle occurred in December 2024, with the judiciary eventually ruling in support of the state's case, essentially allowing restrictions on treatment for trans young people to remain in effect across multiple US states.

We created Heightened Scrutiny in just 16 months, explained Feder during an interview. In comparison, my previous film Disclosure took me half a decade, so this was quite rushed. Our goal was to raise conversation so people would understand more about the case.

Personal Narrative Amid Legal Struggle

While Feder presents a thorough analysis of how prominent publications have promoted transphobic talking points, the film's most valuable contribution may be its engaging depiction of Strangio. Usually a measured attorney in public settings, Strangio shows his vulnerability throughout the production.

This represented a major challenge, to reveal parts of my life to a filmmaker that I had made efforts to keep personal, shared Strangio. Sam said he wanted future generations to know that we struggled, to see what was done in support of these struggles for our fundamental rights.

Diverse Perspectives in the Struggle

To support Strangio's narrative, Feder incorporates numerous trans advocates, such as well-known figures from activism and the arts. This film also includes viewpoints from cisgender supporters who examine how established media outlets have participated to damaging reporting of transgender individuals.

The viewpoint of transgender youth central to the legal case is shown through a remarkable young girl named Mila. Viewers observe her advocating for her peers at a educational meeting, with subsequent footage showing her speaking for transgender rights outside the highest court.

Intimate Moments Beyond the Legal Battle

The documentary also features emotional moments where Feder transcends the ongoing political battle, such as sequences of Strangio vacationing in Italy and receiving a body art featuring lines from civil rights leader Pauli Murray's poem "Vision."

This body art scene is one of my favorites in the movie, explained Strangio. Receiving body art is almost like a meditative experience for me, to be completely aware in my body and to view it as a vehicle for things that are significant to me.

Physical Autonomy and Portrayal

The filmmaker's focus to thoughtfully documenting Strangio adding to his body art underscores that this film is fundamentally about transgender bodies – not just those of young people who experience restriction of their ability to live truly in their own bodies, but also the bodies of the many interviewees who are featured in the documentary.

I make films with a purpose, and part of that is selecting people who are outstanding and concise enough to carry the camera, explained Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should dress for an interview, my response is anything that makes you feel hot. This is important to me – as trans people, we have difficulties so much with our self-perception.

Legacy and Hope

A key factor that causes Feder's documentaries shine is his evident talent for making his transgender interviewees feel comfortable, seen and appreciated. This approach creates real chemistry between Feder and Strangio, enabling the filmmaker to achieve his objective of presenting Strangio as a multifaceted person and leaving a document for posterity of how persistently he and fellow activists have fought for transgender liberties.

I don't want people to end up in a state of perpetual despair because of what the law is not giving us, shared Strangio. I want to be in a method of using the law to lessen harm, but not to make it some kind of channel for our liberatory aspirations. The government is not going to be the mirror through which we see ourselves. Our community are that reflection, and it's very vital that we continue having that dialogue alongside conversations about pushing against these laws and procedures.

Heightened Scrutiny is currently accessible for online viewing during Trans Visibility Week and will receive a more extensive release at a subsequent date.