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Trans documentarian Sam Feder's recent feature "Increased Examination" offers a moving dual viewpoint – both an intimate portrait of a prominent trans activist and a critical analysis of journalistic coverage surrounding transgender existence.

Legal Struggle at the Highest Court

The film documents ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he prepares for oral arguments in the landmark highest court case the Skirmetti case. These arguments occurred in late 2024, with the judiciary ultimately ruling in support of the state's position, effectively permitting bans on medical transition for transgender minors to remain in place across over twenty US territories.

We made Heightened Scrutiny in merely 16 months, explained Feder during a conversation. In comparison, my previous film Disclosure took me half a decade, so this was quite rushed. Our goal was to generate conversation so people would know more about the case.

Human Narrative Amid Legal Struggle

While Feder offers a comprehensive critique of how prominent media outlets have promoted transphobic narratives, the film's primary contribution may be its engaging depiction of Strangio. Normally a measured lawyer in public settings, Strangio shows his humanity throughout the film.

That was a substantial challenge, to reveal parts of my life to a documentary crew that I had worked hard to keep confidential, shared Strangio. Feder said he wanted younger people to know that we tried, to see what was done in support of these struggles for our basic existence.

Varied Perspectives in the Movement

To support Strangio's story, Feder features various transgender advocates, such as well-known individuals from activism and the arts. This film also presents insights from cisgender allies who analyze how established publications have contributed to harmful reporting of transgender individuals.

The perspective of transgender minors central to the court battle is shown through a remarkable 12-year-old girl named Mila. Viewers initially witness her speaking out for her peers at a school board meeting, with later scenes showing her demonstrating for transgender rights outside the highest court.

Personal Scenes Beyond the Courtroom

Heightened Scrutiny also features touching moments where Feder steps outside the never-ending legal battle, including footage of Strangio vacationing in Italy and receiving a body art featuring lines from activist Pauli Murray's poem "Vision."

This ink moment is one of my preferred parts in the movie, shared Strangio. Being tattooed is nearly like a meditative process for me, to be completely aware in my body and to think of it as a container for things that are important to me.

Body Identity and Representation

Feder's focus to thoughtfully documenting Strangio adding to his body art underscores that Heightened Scrutiny is fundamentally about transgender physical selves – not just those of youth who face prohibition of their ability to live authentically in their own bodies, but also the bodies of the many subjects who participate in the production.

I produce films with a purpose, and part of that is picking people who are exceptional and concise enough to carry the camera, explained Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should dress for an interview, my reply is anything that makes you feel confident. That is important to me – as trans people, we have difficulties so much with our appearance.

Impact and Hope

One aspect that causes Feder's documentaries shine is his obvious talent for making his trans subjects feel at ease, recognized and appreciated. This methodology develops genuine rapport between Feder and Strangio, helping the filmmaker to realize his goal of presenting Strangio as a multifaceted individual and providing a document for posterity of how persistently he and others have struggled for trans liberties.

I hope not people to find themselves in a situation of constant hopelessness because of what the law is not giving us, stated Strangio. I want to be in a process of using the law to lessen harm, but not to make it some kind of conduit for our liberatory aspirations. State bodies is not going to be the mirror through which we perceive ourselves. We are that mirror, and it's very vital that we continue having that discussion together with dialogues about fighting back these laws and practices.

This important documentary is now obtainable for online viewing during Trans Awareness Week and will receive a broader distribution at a subsequent date.