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Transgender documentarian Sam Feder's newest film "Increased Examination" presents a powerful two-part viewpoint – both an intimate portrait of a key trans advocate and a critical examination of media reporting about trans issues.

Legal Battle at the Highest Court

This documentary documents ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he gears up for oral arguments in the landmark highest court case US v Skirmetti. This legal battle took place in December 2024, with the judiciary finally ruling in support of Tennessee's position, essentially allowing restrictions on healthcare for trans youth to remain in effect across over twenty US states.

We produced Heightened Scrutiny in only 16 months, explained Feder during a conversation. In comparison, my earlier film Disclosure took me half a decade, so this was quite rushed. Our purpose was to stimulate conversation so people would learn more about the case.

Human Story Amid Legal Battle

While Feder provides a comprehensive examination of how prominent news organizations have spread anti-trans talking points, the film's most valuable contribution may be its engaging depiction of Strangio. Typically a measured attorney in media settings, Strangio displays his vulnerability throughout the film.

That was a substantial challenge, to reveal parts of my life to a documentary crew that I had made efforts to keep personal, shared Strangio. Sam said he wanted younger people to know that we struggled, to see what was done in support of these fights for our material survival.

Diverse Voices in the Struggle

To support Strangio's story, Feder features various transgender activists, including well-known individuals from journalism and entertainment. This production also presents perspectives from non-trans supporters who critique how established publications have added to negative coverage of transgender people.

The viewpoint of trans young people central to the legal case is illustrated through a impressive 12-year-old student named Mila. Viewers initially witness her fighting for her community at a school board meeting, with later footage showing her demonstrating for trans rights outside the highest court.

Personal Scenes Beyond the Legal Battle

Heightened Scrutiny also contains emotional moments where Feder steps outside the never-ending legal struggle, including footage of Strangio traveling in Italy and receiving a tattoo featuring words from civil rights leader Pauli Murray's poem "Prophecy."

The tattoo moment is one of my preferred parts in the movie, stated Strangio. Receiving body art is almost like a reflective process for me, to be fully present in my body and to view it as a vessel for things that are important to me.

Physical Autonomy and Portrayal

The filmmaker's dedication to thoughtfully documenting Strangio getting to his tattoo collection emphasizes that Heightened Scrutiny is primarily about trans physical selves – not only those of young people who confront prohibition of their right to live genuinely in their own bodies, but also the bodies of the various interviewees who participate in the film.

I make films with a purpose, and part of that is selecting people who are outstanding and concise enough to sustain the camera, explained Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should dress for an filming, my answer is anything that makes you feel hot. That is important to me – as transgender individuals, we struggle so much with our image.

Impact and Hope

A key aspect that causes Feder's works shine is his clear talent for making his trans participants feel respected, seen and valued. This methodology creates real connection between Feder and Strangio, enabling the filmmaker to achieve his aim of presenting Strangio as a whole individual and providing a record for future generations of how persistently he and others have fought for trans liberties.

I don't want people to end up in a place of incessant discouragement because of what the law is failing to provide us, stated Strangio. I strive to be in a process of using the law to minimize harm, but not to make it some kind of conduit for our liberatory possibilities. The government is not going to be the mirror through which we view ourselves. Our community are that reflection, and it's very crucial that we keep having that discussion together with dialogues about resisting these policies and practices.

This significant film is now available for online viewing during Trans Visibility Week and will receive a broader distribution at a future date.