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Trans director Sam Feder's recent documentary "Increased Examination" presents a moving two-part perspective – both an personal profile of a prominent transgender activist and a pointed analysis of journalistic reporting surrounding trans existence.

Legal Battle at the Highest Court

This feature follows ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he gears up for oral arguments in the significant Supreme Court case the Skirmetti case. These proceedings happened in late 2024, with the court ultimately deciding in support of Tennessee's argument, effectively enabling restrictions on healthcare for trans youth to stay in place across numerous US territories.

We produced Heightened Scrutiny in merely 16 months, shared 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 discussion so people would understand more about the case.

Personal Story Amid Political Struggle

Although Feder presents a comprehensive examination of how mainstream media outlets have spread transphobic talking points, the film's greatest accomplishment may be its compelling portrayal of Strangio. Typically a cautious lawyer in media settings, Strangio reveals his authenticity throughout the film.

This represented a major challenge, to open up parts of my life to a camera lens that I had worked hard to keep personal, stated Strangio. Sam told me he wanted the next generation to know that we struggled, to see what was done in service of these battles for our fundamental rights.

Varied Voices in the Struggle

To enhance Strangio's account, Feder includes numerous transgender activists, such as respected figures from media and entertainment. This film also features perspectives from cisgender supporters who examine how established publications have added to damaging coverage of transgender individuals.

The viewpoint of transgender minors key to the legal case is illustrated through a remarkable young activist named Mila. Audiences observe her advocating for her community at a educational meeting, with subsequent footage showing her demonstrating for transgender rights outside the highest court.

Intimate Scenes Beyond the Legal Battle

This film also features touching moments where Feder steps outside the ongoing political battle, including scenes of Strangio traveling in Italy and getting a tattoo featuring words from civil rights leader Pauli Murray's poem "Vision."

This ink moment is one of my favorites in the movie, shared Strangio. Receiving body art is almost like a meditative experience for me, to be totally engaged in my body and to consider it as a vehicle for things that are important to me.

Body Autonomy and Representation

The filmmaker's attention to carefully capturing Strangio getting to his tattoo collection highlights that Heightened Scrutiny is primarily about transgender bodies – not only those of young people who confront restriction of their right to live truly in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the numerous participants who appear in the documentary.

I make films with a meaning, and part of that is selecting people who are outstanding and eloquent enough to hold the camera, explained Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should wear for an filming, my reply is anything that makes you feel attractive. This is crucial to me – as trans people, we have difficulties so much with our image.

Impact and Optimism

One element that causes Feder's films stand out is his obvious talent for making his trans interviewees feel respected, recognized and appreciated. This approach develops genuine chemistry between Feder and Strangio, helping the filmmaker to accomplish his goal of portraying Strangio as a complete individual and leaving a record for posterity of how persistently he and others have fought for transgender liberties.

I don't want people to find themselves in a state of incessant despair because of what the law is not giving us, stated Strangio. I want to be in a process of using the law to lessen harm, but not to turn it into some sort of pathway for our liberatory possibilities. State bodies is not going to be the reflection through which we view ourselves. We are that mirror, and it's really vital that we keep having that conversation together with conversations about pushing against these policies and practices.

This important documentary is presently available for digital rental during Trans Visibility Week and will receive a wider release at a later date.