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Transgender director Sam Feder's latest film "Increased Examination" provides a moving two-part perspective – both an emotional profile of a leading trans advocate and a sharp examination of journalistic reporting about transgender issues.

Legal Battle at the Supreme Court

This feature documents ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he gets ready for oral arguments in the important Supreme Court case the Skirmetti case. This legal battle occurred in December 2024, with the judiciary finally deciding in support of the state's position, effectively enabling restrictions on healthcare for trans minors to stay in effect across multiple US states.

We produced Heightened Scrutiny in only 16 months, stated Feder during a conversation. In comparison, my earlier film Disclosure took me five years, so this was a real push. Our purpose was to stimulate discussion so people would know more about the case.

Personal Narrative Amid Political Struggle

While Feder offers a thorough critique of how major news organizations have disseminated transphobic rhetoric, the film's most valuable achievement may be its compelling depiction of Strangio. Usually a measured attorney in media appearances, Strangio displays his authenticity throughout the documentary.

That was a major challenge, to reveal parts of my life to a documentary crew that I had worked hard to keep private, stated Strangio. Sam told me he wanted younger people to know that we struggled, to see what was done in service of these battles for our fundamental rights.

Diverse Voices in the Movement

To support Strangio's narrative, Feder features multiple transgender activists, including well-known figures from media and the arts. The documentary also features viewpoints from cisgender advocates who critique how respected organizations have participated to negative coverage of trans people.

The perspective of trans youth central to the court battle is shown through a remarkable 12-year-old student named Mila. Viewers observe her fighting for her peers at a school board meeting, with subsequent scenes showing her demonstrating for trans rights outside the highest court.

Intimate Moments Beyond the Courtroom

Heightened Scrutiny also contains poignant moments where Feder steps outside the constant political struggle, including footage of Strangio traveling in Italy and getting a tattoo featuring lines from activist Pauli Murray's poem "Prediction."

This body art sequence is among my preferred parts in the movie, explained Strangio. Receiving body art is practically 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.

Body Identity and Portrayal

Feder's dedication to lovingly showing Strangio adding to his body art underscores that this film is fundamentally about trans physical selves – not only those of youth who face denial of their right to live authentically in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the many subjects who participate in the production.

I produce films with a purpose, and part of that is choosing people who are outstanding and articulate enough to hold the camera, explained Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should dress for an interview, my answer is whatever makes you feel confident. That is important to me – as trans people, we face challenges so much with our self-perception.

Legacy and Hope

One aspect that makes Feder's documentaries stand out is his obvious skill for making his transgender participants feel comfortable, acknowledged and appreciated. This technique develops real chemistry between Feder and Strangio, enabling the filmmaker to accomplish his objective of showing Strangio as a multifaceted person and providing a document for coming generations of how determinedly he and fellow activists have struggled for transgender liberties.

I hope not people to find themselves in a situation of constant despair because of what the law is failing to provide us, stated Strangio. I aim to be in a method of using the law to minimize harm, but not to transform it into some kind of pathway for our liberation aspirations. Official institutions is not going to be the reflection through which we view ourselves. Trans people are that mirror, and it's extremely vital that we keep having that discussion together with discussions about pushing against these policies and practices.

This significant film is presently available for streaming during Trans Awareness Week and will receive a wider release at a future date.