🔗 Share this article

Transgender filmmaker Sam Feder's newest feature "Increased Examination" offers a moving dual viewpoint – both an intimate profile of a leading transgender activist and a critical analysis of media coverage about transgender rights.

Judicial Struggle at the Highest Court

This documentary follows ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he gets ready for legal presentations in the landmark highest court case the Skirmetti case. This legal battle occurred in December 2024, with the court eventually deciding in support of the state's argument, effectively enabling bans on medical transition for trans young people to remain in effect across multiple US states.

We created Heightened Scrutiny in merely 16 months, shared Feder during a discussion. By contrast, my previous film Disclosure took me five years, so this was very accelerated. Our purpose was to raise dialogue so people would know more about the case.

Personal Story Amid Political Struggle

While Feder offers a thorough analysis of how prominent media outlets have disseminated anti-trans narratives, the film's most valuable accomplishment may be its compelling portrayal of Strangio. Usually a reserved attorney in public appearances, Strangio shows his authenticity throughout the documentary.

This represented a significant challenge, to open up parts of my life to a documentary crew that I had worked hard to keep personal, stated Strangio. Feder explained he wanted the next generation to know that we struggled, to see what was done in support of these fights for our material survival.

Varied Perspectives in the Struggle

To support Strangio's account, Feder includes multiple trans voices, such as prominent leaders from journalism and the arts. The documentary also features insights from cisgender allies who critique how respected publications have participated to damaging coverage of trans people.

The perspective of trans minors central to the legal case is represented through a remarkable 12-year-old student named Mila. Viewers initially witness her fighting for her community at a school board meeting, with subsequent scenes showing her demonstrating for trans rights outside the highest court.

Personal Moments Beyond the Legal Battle

The documentary also includes poignant moments where Feder steps outside the constant political battle, including footage of Strangio traveling in Italy and receiving a body art featuring verses from civil rights leader Pauli Murray's poem "Vision."

This body art moment is one of my preferred parts in the movie, shared Strangio. Receiving body art is nearly like a meditative process for me, to be totally engaged in my body and to think of it as a vessel for things that are significant to me.

Physical Identity and Representation

Feder's dedication to thoughtfully documenting Strangio adding to his tattoo collection emphasizes that this film is primarily about trans physical selves – not only those of young people who face prohibition of their ability to live truly 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 selecting people who are exceptional and eloquent enough to carry the camera, stated Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should dress for an filming, my reply is anything that makes you feel confident. That is important to me – as transgender individuals, we struggle so much with our image.

Legacy and Hope

One element that makes Feder's films shine is his obvious talent for making his transgender interviewees feel respected, acknowledged and valued. This technique creates real rapport between Feder and Strangio, enabling the director to accomplish his objective of portraying Strangio as a whole person and providing a record for posterity of how resiliently he and others have campaigned for transgender rights.

I don't want people to find themselves in a situation of incessant despair because of what the law is denying us, shared Strangio. I aim to be in a practice of using the law to minimize harm, but not to transform it into some sort of channel for our freedom potential. The government is not going to be the mirror through which we perceive ourselves. Trans people are that mirror, and it's really important that we persist having that dialogue alongside dialogues about fighting back these laws and procedures.

Heightened Scrutiny is presently available for streaming during Trans Awareness Week and will receive a more extensive launch at a later date.