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Transgender filmmaker Sam Feder's recent film "Increased Examination" provides a moving two-part perspective – both an personal profile of a key trans advocate and a critical examination of journalistic reporting about transgender issues.

Judicial Struggle at the Supreme Court

The film traces ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he gets ready for legal presentations in the landmark highest court case US v Skirmetti. These arguments occurred in late 2024, with the court finally deciding in support of the state's case, essentially permitting restrictions on medical transition for transgender young people to remain in effect across multiple US states.

We made Heightened Scrutiny in only 16 months, explained Feder during a conversation. By contrast, my earlier film Disclosure took me half a decade, so this was quite rushed. Our purpose was to generate dialogue so people would know more about the case.

Human Story Amid Legal Struggle

Although Feder presents a comprehensive examination of how mainstream news organizations have disseminated transphobic talking points, the film's greatest accomplishment may be its engaging depiction of Strangio. Usually a cautious attorney in media appearances, Strangio shows his authenticity throughout the production.

This represented a substantial challenge, to open up parts of my life to a camera lens that I had made efforts to keep private, explained Strangio. Feder said he wanted the next generation to know that we struggled, to see what was done in service of these fights for our basic existence.

Varied Perspectives in the Movement

To support Strangio's narrative, Feder includes various trans advocates, including respected leaders from activism and entertainment. This film also presents insights from non-trans supporters who analyze how established media outlets have contributed to damaging portrayals of trans people.

The experience of trans youth key to the legal case is shown through a extraordinary 12-year-old activist named Mila. Viewers initially witness her advocating for her peers at a educational meeting, with subsequent footage showing her demonstrating for trans rights outside the highest court.

Personal Scenes Beyond the Legal Battle

This film also features emotional moments where Feder transcends the ongoing political battle, such as scenes of Strangio vacationing in Italy and getting a tattoo featuring lines from civil rights leader Pauli Murray's poem "Prophecy."

This body art scene is one of my preferred parts in the movie, explained Strangio. Being tattooed is nearly like a reflective process for me, to be fully present in my body and to consider it as a vessel for things that are important to me.

Physical Identity and Representation

The filmmaker's dedication to carefully showing Strangio adding to his body art highlights that Heightened Scrutiny is fundamentally about transgender bodies – not just those of youth who experience restriction of their right to live genuinely in their own bodies, but also the bodies of the various subjects who are featured in the production.

I produce films with a purpose, and part of that is choosing people who are outstanding and concise enough to carry the camera, shared Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should dress for an filming, my reply is whatever makes you feel confident. That is crucial to me – as trans people, we face challenges so much with our appearance.

Legacy and Optimism

A key aspect that causes Feder's films excel is his clear talent for making his transgender participants feel comfortable, recognized and valued. This methodology creates authentic connection between Feder and Strangio, allowing the filmmaker to achieve his aim of showing Strangio as a complete human being and leaving a document for posterity of how resiliently he and fellow activists have struggled for transgender rights.

I hope not people to end up in a place of constant hopelessness because of what the law is failing to provide us, explained Strangio. I strive to be in a practice of using the law to lessen harm, but not to make it some type of pathway for our freedom possibilities. State bodies is not going to be the mirror through which we perceive ourselves. Trans people are that reflection, and it's extremely vital that we persist having that discussion alongside conversations about pushing against these laws and approaches.

This important documentary is now available for online viewing during Trans Awareness Week and will receive a wider distribution at a later date.