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Transgender filmmaker Sam Feder's latest documentary "Increased Examination" presents a powerful dual viewpoint – simultaneously an intimate portrait of a prominent trans activist and a critical examination of media coverage about transgender issues.

Legal Struggle at the Supreme Court

This feature documents ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he prepares for legal presentations in the significant Supreme Court case the Skirmetti case. These arguments happened in December 2024, with the judiciary eventually ruling in support of Tennessee's position, essentially permitting limitations on healthcare for trans minors to stay in effect across multiple US states.

We created Heightened Scrutiny in only 16 months, shared Feder during a conversation. By contrast, my previous film Disclosure took me half a decade, so this was very accelerated. Our purpose was to generate conversation so people would know more about the case.

Human Story Amid Political Battle

While Feder offers a extensive critique of how prominent news organizations have spread transphobic rhetoric, the film's most valuable achievement may be its compelling portrayal of Strangio. Normally a cautious attorney in media appearances, Strangio reveals his vulnerability throughout the documentary.

That was a significant challenge, to open up parts of my life to a camera lens that I had strived to keep personal, shared Strangio. Sam told me he wanted the next generation to know that we fought, to see what was done in service of these battles for our material survival.

Diverse Voices in the Struggle

To support Strangio's account, Feder features multiple trans advocates, including prominent leaders from activism and the arts. This film also presents perspectives from cisgender advocates who examine how established organizations have contributed to harmful coverage of trans people.

The viewpoint of transgender young people central to the court battle is shown through a extraordinary young student named Mila. Audiences observe her speaking out for her peers at a school board meeting, with subsequent footage showing her protesting for transgender rights outside the Supreme Court.

Personal Moments Beyond the Courtroom

The documentary also contains emotional moments where Feder steps outside the constant legal battle, including footage of Strangio vacationing in Italy and getting a body art featuring verses from civil rights leader Pauli Murray's poem "Prophecy."

This body art scene is one of my favorites in the movie, stated Strangio. Getting inked is almost like a meditative process for me, to be completely aware in my body and to view it as a container for things that are meaningful to me.

Physical Identity and Representation

The filmmaker's dedication to lovingly showing Strangio adding to his body art emphasizes that this film is essentially about transgender physical selves – not only those of young people who experience denial of their ability to live genuinely in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the numerous subjects who participate in the film.

I produce films with a meaning, and part of that is choosing people who are outstanding and concise enough to sustain the camera, shared Feder. When people ask me what they should dress for an filming, my reply is anything that makes you feel confident. This is crucial to me – as transgender individuals, we struggle so much with our appearance.

Legacy and Optimism

A key element that makes Feder's films stand out is his evident skill for making his transgender subjects feel comfortable, seen and valued. This approach creates genuine connection between Feder and Strangio, enabling the filmmaker to achieve his objective of showing Strangio as a whole human being and leaving a testament for coming generations of how determinedly he and fellow activists have struggled for transgender liberties.

I don't want people to end up in a state of constant discouragement because of what the law is denying us, explained Strangio. I strive to be in a process of using the law to lessen harm, but not to transform it into some sort of conduit for our freedom aspirations. Official institutions is not going to be the reflection through which we see ourselves. Our community are that mirror, and it's really important that we keep having that dialogue alongside dialogues about resisting these laws and procedures.

Heightened Scrutiny is now available for online viewing during Transgender Awareness Week and will receive a wider release at a future date.