🔗 Share this article

Trans director Sam Feder's recent documentary "Increased Examination" provides a moving two-part viewpoint – both an personal profile of a key transgender activist and a critical examination of journalistic coverage about trans issues.

Legal Battle at the Supreme Court

This feature follows ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he gets ready for legal presentations in the landmark Supreme Court case US v Skirmetti. These proceedings happened in late 2024, with the judiciary eventually ruling in support of the state's case, effectively enabling restrictions on medical transition for transgender youth to stay in effect across numerous US territories.

We made Heightened Scrutiny in just 16 months, stated Feder during a conversation. By contrast, my earlier film Disclosure took me half a decade, so this was a real push. Our intention was to generate conversation so people would know more about the case.

Human Narrative Amid Political Struggle

Although Feder provides a extensive examination of how major media outlets have disseminated transphobic narratives, the film's most valuable contribution may be its engaging portrayal of Strangio. Usually a cautious lawyer in public appearances, Strangio reveals his humanity throughout the documentary.

That was a significant challenge, to share aspects of my life to a camera lens that I had strived to keep confidential, shared Strangio. Feder explained he wanted the next generation to know that we fought, to see what was done in defense of these battles for our basic existence.

Varied Perspectives in the Movement

To support Strangio's story, Feder includes numerous trans voices, such as well-known figures from activism and entertainment. The documentary also presents insights from cisgender supporters who analyze how mainstream publications have contributed to harmful reporting of transgender individuals.

The perspective of transgender youth central to the legal case is illustrated through a extraordinary young student named Mila. Audiences observe her advocating for her peers at a school board meeting, with subsequent scenes showing her demonstrating for transgender rights outside the Supreme Court.

Personal Moments Beyond the Courtroom

The documentary also includes poignant moments where Feder moves beyond the never-ending legal struggle, such as sequences of Strangio traveling in Italy and getting a tattoo featuring verses from activist Pauli Murray's poem "Prophecy."

This body art sequence is among my most cherished sections in the movie, shared Strangio. Receiving body art is almost like a meditative process for me, to be totally engaged in my body and to think of it as a vehicle for things that are significant to me.

Physical Autonomy and Portrayal

Feder's dedication to thoughtfully showing Strangio getting to his tattoo collection highlights that Heightened Scrutiny is primarily about trans bodies – not just those of youth who confront prohibition of their right to live authentically in their own bodies, but also the bodies of the various interviewees who appear in the production.

I make films with a purpose, and part of that is selecting people who are outstanding and concise enough to sustain the camera, stated Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should wear for an interview, my reply is anything that makes you feel attractive. This is important to me – as transgender individuals, we struggle so much with our image.

Impact and Hope

A key aspect that makes Feder's films shine is his obvious ability for making his transgender subjects feel at ease, acknowledged and appreciated. This methodology fosters authentic rapport between Feder and Strangio, helping the filmmaker to achieve his objective of showing Strangio as a multifaceted human being and providing a record for future generations of how determinedly he and fellow activists have fought for transgender rights.

I don't want people to find themselves in a situation of constant hopelessness because of what the law is denying us, stated Strangio. I aim to be in a process of using the law to minimize harm, but not to transform it into some sort of pathway for our liberatory possibilities. The government is not going to be the mirror through which we view ourselves. Trans people are that reflection, and it's really vital that we continue having that discussion in addition to dialogues about pushing against these laws and practices.

This important documentary is now accessible for online viewing during Transgender Awareness Week and will receive a more extensive distribution at a subsequent date.