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Trans director Sam Feder's newest film "Increased Examination" offers a powerful two-part perspective – both an personal portrait of a key transgender activist and a pointed examination of media coverage surrounding transgender rights.

Judicial Battle at the Highest Court

The film traces ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he gets ready for court proceedings in the landmark Supreme Court case the Skirmetti case. These proceedings occurred in late 2024, with the court ultimately ruling in favor of the state's position, essentially permitting restrictions on medical transition for trans youth to stay in effect across multiple US states.

We made Heightened Scrutiny in merely 16 months, explained Feder during a discussion. In comparison, my previous film Disclosure took me half a decade, so this was a real push. Our intention was to generate dialogue so people would know more about the case.

Human Story Amid Legal Struggle

While Feder presents a thorough critique of how mainstream publications have disseminated transphobic narratives, the film's primary accomplishment may be its engaging portrayal of Strangio. Typically a cautious attorney in media settings, Strangio shows his vulnerability throughout the documentary.

That was a substantial challenge, to share parts of my life to a documentary crew that I had worked hard to keep private, shared Strangio. Sam said he wanted future generations to know that we fought, to see what was done in defense of these battles for our material survival.

Diverse Voices in the Movement

To strengthen Strangio's story, Feder features multiple trans voices, such as respected figures from media and entertainment. This production also presents viewpoints from non-trans advocates who critique how respected publications have added to harmful reporting of transgender individuals.

The viewpoint of trans minors central to the court battle is represented through a impressive 12-year-old girl named Mila. Audiences observe her advocating for her community at a educational meeting, with later scenes showing her speaking for trans rights outside the highest court.

Intimate Moments Beyond the Legal Battle

This film also contains emotional moments where Feder transcends the never-ending legal struggle, including scenes of Strangio traveling in Italy and getting a body art featuring verses from civil rights leader Pauli Murray's poem "Prophecy."

The tattoo moment is one of my favorites in the movie, stated Strangio. Being tattooed is almost like a reflective process for me, to be completely aware in my body and to view it as a vehicle for things that are meaningful to me.

Body Autonomy and Representation

The filmmaker's attention to thoughtfully documenting Strangio adding to his tattoo collection emphasizes that Heightened Scrutiny is fundamentally about transgender bodies – not only those of young people who confront denial of their ability to live genuinely in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the various subjects who appear in the film.

I create films with a meaning, and part of that is selecting people who are brilliant and eloquent enough to sustain the camera, explained Feder. When people ask me what they should wear for an interview, my answer is anything that makes you feel confident. That is crucial to me – as transgender individuals, we face challenges so much with our image.

Legacy and Hope

One element that causes Feder's works shine is his evident ability for making his trans participants feel comfortable, acknowledged and appreciated. This technique fosters authentic chemistry between Feder and Strangio, helping the director to realize his goal of showing Strangio as a complete individual and leaving a record for coming generations of how persistently he and others have campaigned for trans liberties.

I hope not people to end up in a place of perpetual despair because of what the law is not giving us, stated Strangio. I strive to be in a practice of using the law to minimize harm, but not to make it some kind of conduit for our freedom aspirations. The government is not going to be the reflection through which we view ourselves. We are that reflection, and it's very crucial that we keep having that conversation alongside conversations about resisting these laws and approaches.

Heightened Scrutiny is presently obtainable for online viewing during Transgender Awareness Week and will receive a wider launch at a subsequent date.