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Transgender filmmaker Sam Feder's newest feature "Increased Examination" presents a powerful dual perspective – both an personal profile of a leading trans activist and a pointed examination of journalistic coverage about transgender issues.

Judicial Battle at the Supreme Court

The film traces ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he gears up for court proceedings in the significant highest court case the Skirmetti case. These arguments happened in late 2024, with the court eventually deciding in support of Tennessee's argument, essentially permitting bans on medical transition for transgender youth to remain in place across over twenty US states.

We produced Heightened Scrutiny in merely 16 months, shared Feder during a conversation. By contrast, my previous film Disclosure took me five years, so this was very accelerated. Our intention was to stimulate conversation so people would learn more about the case.

Personal Story Amid Political Struggle

While Feder offers a comprehensive examination of how mainstream publications have promoted transphobic narratives, the film's primary achievement may be its compelling portrayal of Strangio. Normally a cautious attorney in public settings, Strangio shows his authenticity throughout the documentary.

This represented a major challenge, to share aspects of my life to a filmmaker that I had made efforts to keep confidential, stated Strangio. Feder explained he wanted the next generation to know that we struggled, to see what was done in defense of these struggles for our basic existence.

Diverse Voices in the Struggle

To strengthen Strangio's account, Feder includes various trans activists, such as respected figures from activism and the arts. This production also features viewpoints from non-trans allies who analyze how established media outlets have contributed to negative coverage of trans people.

The viewpoint of transgender youth key to the legal case is shown through a impressive 12-year-old activist named Mila. Viewers observe her advocating for her peers at a school board meeting, with subsequent footage showing her protesting for transgender rights outside the Supreme Court.

Personal Scenes Beyond the Courtroom

Heightened Scrutiny also includes emotional moments where Feder moves beyond the ongoing political battle, including scenes of Strangio vacationing in Italy and getting a tattoo featuring lines from activist Pauli Murray's poem "Prophecy."

This body art sequence is among my preferred parts in the movie, shared Strangio. Being tattooed is practically like a meditative experience for me, to be totally engaged in my body and to consider it as a vessel for things that are meaningful to me.

Body Identity and Representation

The filmmaker's focus to carefully showing Strangio getting to his body art emphasizes that this documentary is essentially about trans bodies – not just those of young people who experience denial of their ability to live truly in their own bodies, but also the bodies of the many participants who participate in the documentary.

I produce films with a meaning, and part of that is picking people who are exceptional and concise enough to hold the camera, explained Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should dress for an interview, my response is whatever makes you feel hot. That is important to me – as trans people, we struggle so much with our appearance.

Impact and Optimism

One element that causes Feder's films stand out is his obvious skill for making his trans interviewees feel comfortable, recognized and appreciated. This technique develops real rapport between Feder and Strangio, enabling the director to realize his goal of portraying Strangio as a complete human being and leaving a document for posterity of how persistently he and others have fought for trans liberties.

I don't want people to end up in a situation of perpetual discouragement because of what the law is not giving us, explained Strangio. I strive to be in a practice of using the law to minimize harm, but not to turn it into some kind of channel for our freedom potential. State bodies is not going to be the mirror through which we see ourselves. We are that mirror, and it's extremely crucial that we keep having that dialogue alongside discussions about fighting back these policies and approaches.

Heightened Scrutiny is presently accessible for online viewing during Transgender Awareness Week and will receive a more extensive distribution at a future date.