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Trans director Sam Feder's latest documentary "Increased Examination" offers a moving two-part viewpoint – both an emotional profile of a leading trans advocate and a critical analysis of journalistic reporting surrounding trans existence.

Judicial Battle at the Highest Court

The film follows ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he gears up for oral arguments in the important Supreme Court case the Skirmetti case. These arguments happened in late 2024, with the judiciary ultimately deciding in support of the state's case, effectively allowing bans on healthcare for transgender young people to stay in effect across numerous US territories.

We created Heightened Scrutiny in just 16 months, shared Feder during a discussion. Meanwhile, my previous film Disclosure took me five years, so this was quite rushed. Our intention was to stimulate discussion so people would know more about the case.

Human Narrative Amid Political Battle

While Feder offers a comprehensive examination of how mainstream news organizations have spread transphobic rhetoric, the film's greatest accomplishment may be its captivating depiction of Strangio. Normally a reserved attorney in public settings, Strangio shows his humanity throughout the documentary.

This represented a significant challenge, to open up aspects of my life to a documentary crew that I had strived to keep personal, shared Strangio. Feder explained he wanted the next generation to know that we fought, to see what was done in service of these struggles for our fundamental rights.

Diverse Voices in the Struggle

To support Strangio's account, Feder incorporates various transgender advocates, such as respected individuals from journalism and entertainment. This production also features insights from non-trans supporters who analyze how respected publications have added to damaging portrayals of transgender people.

The perspective of trans youth central to the court battle is illustrated through a remarkable 12-year-old activist named Mila. Audiences observe her speaking out for her peers at a educational meeting, with subsequent scenes showing her protesting for trans rights outside the highest court.

Intimate Scenes Beyond the Legal Battle

This film also contains poignant moments where Feder transcends the ongoing legal battle, including sequences of Strangio traveling in Italy and getting a tattoo featuring verses from civil rights leader Pauli Murray's poem "Vision."

This ink moment is among my favorites in the movie, shared Strangio. Receiving body art is practically like a reflective experience for me, to be completely aware in my body and to think of it as a container for things that are significant to me.

Physical Identity and Portrayal

Feder's attention to lovingly documenting Strangio adding to his tattoo collection underscores that Heightened Scrutiny is primarily about trans bodies – not just those of youth who confront restriction of their right to live authentically in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the many interviewees who participate in the production.

I produce films with a purpose, and part of that is choosing people who are outstanding and concise enough to hold the camera, shared Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should dress for an filming, my reply is whatever makes you feel hot. This is crucial to me – as transgender individuals, we have difficulties so much with our appearance.

Legacy and Optimism

One element that makes Feder's films shine is his clear talent for making his trans participants feel comfortable, seen and valued. This approach creates real connection between Feder and Strangio, helping the filmmaker to accomplish his objective of presenting Strangio as a whole human being and leaving a document for coming generations of how determinedly he and others have fought for trans rights.

I don't want people to end up in a state of incessant despair because of what the law is failing to provide us, stated Strangio. I want to be in a practice of using the law to reduce harm, but not to transform it into some kind of pathway for our freedom aspirations. State bodies is not going to be the reflection through which we view ourselves. We are that mirror, and it's very vital that we continue having that discussion together with discussions about resisting these laws and practices.

This significant film is presently accessible for streaming during Trans Visibility Week and will receive a wider release at a subsequent date.