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Transgender director Sam Feder's recent feature "Increased Examination" presents a compelling dual perspective – both an emotional profile of a key trans advocate and a critical examination of journalistic reporting surrounding trans rights.

Judicial Struggle at the Supreme Court

This feature follows ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he prepares for court proceedings in the important Supreme Court case US v Skirmetti. These proceedings took place in late 2024, with the court eventually deciding in support of the state's argument, essentially enabling restrictions on medical transition for trans minors to remain in effect across multiple US territories.

We made Heightened Scrutiny in just 16 months, stated Feder during an interview. Meanwhile, my earlier film Disclosure took me five years, so this was quite rushed. Our purpose was to generate discussion so people would understand more about the case.

Personal Narrative Amid Legal Struggle

While Feder provides a comprehensive critique of how mainstream publications have disseminated transphobic narratives, the film's greatest accomplishment may be its engaging depiction of Strangio. Typically a cautious attorney in media appearances, Strangio displays his authenticity throughout the film.

That was a significant challenge, to share parts of my life to a camera lens that I had worked hard to keep private, shared Strangio. Sam told me he wanted the next generation to know that we struggled, to see what was done in defense of these struggles for our fundamental rights.

Varied Voices in the Struggle

To strengthen Strangio's narrative, Feder includes multiple transgender activists, such as well-known individuals from journalism and the arts. The documentary also includes viewpoints from cisgender supporters who examine how established publications have added to negative coverage of transgender individuals.

The experience of transgender young people central to the court battle is shown through a remarkable 12-year-old activist named Mila. Viewers initially witness her advocating for her community at a school board meeting, with subsequent footage showing her demonstrating for trans rights outside the highest court.

Intimate Moments Beyond the Legal Battle

Heightened Scrutiny also contains touching moments where Feder steps outside the ongoing political battle, including footage of Strangio vacationing in Italy and getting a body art featuring words from activist Pauli Murray's poem "Prophecy."

This ink scene is one of my most cherished sections in the movie, explained Strangio. Getting inked is almost like a contemplative process for me, to be completely aware in my body and to think of it as a vessel for things that are meaningful to me.

Body Autonomy and Representation

The filmmaker's dedication to carefully capturing Strangio getting to his body art highlights that this film is primarily about transgender physical selves – not just those of young people who experience prohibition of their ability to live truly in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the many interviewees who participate in the film.

I produce films with a meaning, and part of that is selecting people who are exceptional and concise enough to sustain the camera, stated Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should wear for an interview, my answer is anything that makes you feel confident. This is essential to me – as transgender individuals, we face challenges so much with our appearance.

Impact and Hope

One element that makes Feder's films excel is his obvious skill for making his transgender interviewees feel at ease, recognized and admired. This approach develops real connection between Feder and Strangio, allowing the director to realize his objective of showing Strangio as a whole person and providing a document for future generations of how determinedly he and others have fought for transgender liberties.

I hope not people to find themselves in a place of constant hopelessness because of what the law is denying us, stated Strangio. I aim to be in a method of using the law to minimize harm, but not to turn it into some kind of conduit for our freedom aspirations. The government is not going to be the reflection through which we perceive ourselves. Our community are that mirror, and it's extremely crucial that we keep having that discussion alongside conversations about pushing against these regulations and practices.

Heightened Scrutiny is now available for streaming during Transgender Awareness Week and will receive a wider launch at a subsequent date.