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Transgender director Sam Feder's newest feature "Increased Examination" offers a powerful dual viewpoint – simultaneously an personal portrait of a key transgender activist and a sharp examination of journalistic reporting surrounding trans issues.

Judicial Struggle at the Supreme Court

This documentary documents ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he gets ready for oral arguments in the landmark highest court case the Skirmetti case. These arguments occurred in late 2024, with the judiciary eventually deciding in support of the state's case, effectively allowing restrictions on treatment for trans minors to remain in effect across multiple US territories.

We produced Heightened Scrutiny in only 16 months, explained Feder during an interview. By contrast, my previous film Disclosure took me five years, so this was very accelerated. Our intention was to raise discussion so people would know more about the case.

Human Narrative Amid Legal Battle

While Feder offers a thorough analysis of how mainstream news organizations have spread transphobic narratives, the film's greatest contribution may be its engaging depiction of Strangio. Typically a cautious attorney in media appearances, Strangio reveals his humanity throughout the documentary.

This represented a significant challenge, to reveal parts of my life to a filmmaker that I had strived to keep confidential, explained Strangio. Feder explained he wanted the next generation to know that we tried, to see what was done in support of these struggles for our fundamental rights.

Diverse Voices in the Struggle

To enhance Strangio's account, Feder incorporates multiple trans activists, including respected leaders from activism and entertainment. This film also includes perspectives from non-trans supporters who examine how respected media outlets have participated to negative coverage of trans individuals.

The experience of trans youth key to the legal case is represented through a remarkable 12-year-old student named Mila. Audiences observe her advocating for her fellow students at a educational meeting, with subsequent moments showing her demonstrating for transgender rights outside the Supreme Court.

Intimate Moments Beyond the Legal Battle

Heightened Scrutiny also includes emotional moments where Feder moves beyond the constant political struggle, including scenes of Strangio vacationing in Italy and receiving a tattoo featuring lines from civil rights leader Pauli Murray's poem "Prediction."

This body art sequence is among my most cherished sections in the movie, explained Strangio. Receiving body art is nearly like a reflective process for me, to be fully present in my body and to think of it as a vehicle for things that are significant to me.

Body Identity and Portrayal

The filmmaker's focus to thoughtfully showing Strangio getting to his body art highlights that this documentary is fundamentally about transgender physical selves – not only those of young people who confront prohibition of their right to live genuinely in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the numerous subjects who appear in the production.

I make films with a purpose, and part of that is choosing people who are exceptional and articulate enough to sustain the camera, explained Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should dress for an filming, my response is whatever makes you feel confident. This is important to me – as transgender individuals, we face challenges so much with our appearance.

Legacy and Hope

A key element that causes Feder's films excel is his clear skill for making his transgender participants feel comfortable, seen and admired. This technique develops genuine connection between Feder and Strangio, enabling the director to accomplish his aim of portraying Strangio as a multifaceted human being and providing a document for posterity of how resiliently he and fellow activists have campaigned for trans liberties.

I don't want people to find themselves in a situation of incessant discouragement because of what the law is failing to provide us, shared Strangio. I strive to be in a process of using the law to reduce harm, but not to transform it into some sort of conduit for our liberatory potential. Official institutions is not going to be the mirror through which we see ourselves. Our community are that reflection, and it's really vital that we continue having that conversation together with dialogues about pushing against these laws and approaches.

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