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Trans filmmaker Sam Feder's latest film "Increased Examination" provides a moving two-part perspective – simultaneously an personal profile of a leading trans advocate and a pointed analysis of journalistic reporting surrounding trans rights.

Legal Struggle at the Highest Court

This documentary documents ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he prepares for court proceedings in the important Supreme Court case US v Skirmetti. This legal battle happened in December 2024, with the court ultimately deciding in support of the state's position, practically enabling bans on healthcare for transgender youth to remain in place across over twenty US territories.

We produced Heightened Scrutiny in only 16 months, stated Feder during an interview. In comparison, my previous film Disclosure took me five years, so this was a real push. Our purpose was to generate dialogue so people would know more about the case.

Personal Story Amid Political Struggle

Although Feder offers a comprehensive critique of how prominent news organizations have disseminated anti-trans talking points, the film's most valuable contribution may be its compelling portrayal of Strangio. Typically a cautious lawyer in public appearances, Strangio shows his vulnerability throughout the documentary.

This represented a significant challenge, to open up aspects of my life to a documentary crew that I had made efforts to keep confidential, explained Strangio. Feder told me he wanted the next generation to know that we tried, to see what was done in support of these battles for our basic existence.

Diverse Voices in the Movement

To enhance Strangio's narrative, Feder includes various transgender voices, including well-known leaders from journalism and entertainment. This production also presents insights from cisgender supporters who examine how respected publications have contributed to harmful reporting of transgender individuals.

The perspective of transgender minors central to the court battle is illustrated through a remarkable young girl named Mila. Audiences observe her fighting for her community at a educational meeting, with later footage showing her speaking for trans rights outside the Supreme Court.

Personal Scenes Beyond the Legal Battle

The documentary also includes touching moments where Feder moves beyond the ongoing legal struggle, including scenes of Strangio vacationing in Italy and receiving a body art featuring words from activist Pauli Murray's poem "Prediction."

This ink sequence is one of my preferred parts in the movie, explained Strangio. Receiving body art is almost like a contemplative process for me, to be fully present in my body and to view it as a vehicle for things that are meaningful to me.

Physical Identity and Representation

Feder's dedication to lovingly showing Strangio adding to his body art emphasizes that Heightened Scrutiny is essentially about trans physical selves – not just those of youth who confront denial of their ability to live genuinely in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the many interviewees who appear in the documentary.

I create films with a message, and part of that is selecting people who are exceptional and concise enough to sustain the camera, shared Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should wear for an interview, my response is anything that makes you feel attractive. That is important to me – as trans people, we face challenges so much with our image.

Impact and Hope

A key aspect that makes Feder's works excel is his evident skill for making his transgender subjects feel at ease, recognized and appreciated. This methodology creates authentic connection between Feder and Strangio, allowing the director to accomplish his aim of showing Strangio as a multifaceted person and providing a document for future generations of how determinedly he and fellow activists have campaigned for trans liberties.

I don't want people to end up in a situation of perpetual despair because of what the law is failing to provide us, stated Strangio. I want to be in a practice of using the law to lessen harm, but not to make it some sort of pathway for our liberatory aspirations. The government is not going to be the mirror through which we view ourselves. We are that mirror, and it's extremely crucial that we keep having that conversation in addition to dialogues about resisting these laws and approaches.

This important documentary is presently accessible for online viewing during Transgender Awareness Week and will receive a wider distribution at a subsequent date.