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Trans documentarian Sam Feder's latest film "Increased Examination" presents a powerful two-part perspective – both an intimate portrait of a prominent transgender advocate and a sharp examination of journalistic coverage surrounding trans rights.

Legal Struggle at the Highest Court

This feature documents ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he gets ready for oral arguments in the important highest court case the Skirmetti case. These proceedings occurred in December 2024, with the judiciary ultimately deciding in favor of the state's case, essentially allowing restrictions on medical transition for transgender young people to stay in effect across over twenty US states.

We created Heightened Scrutiny in only 16 months, explained Feder during a conversation. Meanwhile, my earlier film Disclosure took me five years, so this was quite rushed. Our goal was to raise dialogue so people would understand more about the case.

Personal Story Amid Legal Battle

Although Feder offers a comprehensive analysis of how prominent news organizations have spread transphobic narratives, the film's most valuable accomplishment may be its captivating depiction of Strangio. Normally a measured attorney in media appearances, Strangio shows his humanity throughout the documentary.

That was a major challenge, to open up parts of my life to a documentary crew that I had strived to keep personal, shared Strangio. Feder explained he wanted future generations to know that we fought, to see what was done in service of these fights for our fundamental rights.

Varied Voices in the Movement

To enhance Strangio's account, Feder features multiple transgender advocates, such as prominent figures from journalism and the arts. This film also presents perspectives from non-trans advocates who analyze how established media outlets have participated to negative reporting of transgender individuals.

The viewpoint of transgender minors key to the legal case is illustrated through a remarkable young activist named Mila. Audiences initially witness her speaking out for her peers at a school board meeting, with subsequent footage showing her speaking for transgender rights outside the Supreme Court.

Personal Scenes Beyond the Legal Battle

Heightened Scrutiny also includes emotional moments where Feder transcends the constant political struggle, including footage of Strangio traveling in Italy and receiving a body art featuring verses from activist Pauli Murray's poem "Vision."

This body art sequence is one of my favorites in the movie, shared Strangio. Getting inked is almost like a meditative process for me, to be completely aware in my body and to consider it as a vessel for things that are meaningful to me.

Physical Autonomy and Portrayal

The filmmaker's focus to lovingly documenting Strangio getting to his body art underscores that Heightened Scrutiny is essentially about transgender physical selves – not just those of young people who face restriction of their right to live genuinely in their own bodies, but also the bodies of the various subjects who participate in the documentary.

I create films with a purpose, and part of that is choosing people who are outstanding and articulate enough to carry the camera, stated Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should wear for an filming, my response is anything that makes you feel confident. This is important to me – as transgender individuals, we struggle so much with our image.

Legacy and Optimism

One element that causes Feder's documentaries excel is his obvious talent for making his transgender participants feel at ease, recognized and admired. This technique develops real connection between Feder and Strangio, helping the filmmaker to accomplish his aim of portraying Strangio as a complete person and providing a record for coming generations of how resiliently he and fellow activists have campaigned for trans rights.

I don't want people to end up in a situation of constant discouragement because of what the law is failing to provide us, shared Strangio. I aim to be in a method of using the law to reduce harm, but not to transform it into some type of channel for our liberatory aspirations. The government is not going to be the reflection through which we perceive ourselves. Our community are that reflection, and it's extremely crucial that we keep having that conversation alongside dialogues about pushing against these regulations and practices.

Heightened Scrutiny is presently available for streaming during Trans Visibility Week and will receive a more extensive distribution at a subsequent date.