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Transgender filmmaker Sam Feder's newest documentary "Increased Examination" provides a powerful two-part viewpoint – simultaneously an intimate portrait of a leading trans advocate and a critical analysis of journalistic reporting surrounding transgender issues.

Judicial Struggle at the Supreme Court

This feature follows ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he gets ready for oral arguments in the landmark Supreme Court case US v Skirmetti. These proceedings occurred in late 2024, with the court eventually ruling in favor of the state's position, essentially allowing bans on healthcare for trans youth to remain in place across over twenty US territories.

We made Heightened Scrutiny in only 16 months, stated Feder during an interview. In comparison, my earlier film Disclosure took me five years, so this was very accelerated. Our goal was to raise dialogue so people would learn more about the case.

Personal Story Amid Legal Struggle

Although Feder provides a thorough critique of how mainstream publications have disseminated transphobic narratives, the film's primary achievement may be its compelling depiction of Strangio. Normally a reserved lawyer in media appearances, Strangio shows his humanity throughout the documentary.

This represented a substantial challenge, to open up aspects of my life to a documentary crew that I had worked hard to keep confidential, shared Strangio. Sam said he wanted younger people to know that we struggled, to see what was done in service of these struggles for our basic existence.

Diverse Voices in the Movement

To support Strangio's narrative, Feder incorporates multiple transgender activists, such as prominent leaders from activism and entertainment. This film also includes insights from non-trans allies who critique how established organizations have participated to negative portrayals of transgender individuals.

The perspective of transgender youth central to the court battle is shown through a remarkable young girl named Mila. Viewers initially witness her speaking out for her fellow students at a school board meeting, with subsequent footage showing her speaking for transgender rights outside the Supreme Court.

Personal Scenes Beyond the Legal Battle

This film also features poignant moments where Feder steps outside the never-ending legal struggle, such as sequences of Strangio vacationing in Italy and getting a body art featuring words from civil rights leader Pauli Murray's poem "Vision."

The tattoo sequence is one of my favorites in the movie, explained Strangio. Receiving body art is practically like a meditative experience for me, to be fully present in my body and to think of it as a container for things that are meaningful to me.

Physical Identity and Portrayal

The filmmaker's attention to thoughtfully documenting Strangio getting to his tattoo collection emphasizes that Heightened Scrutiny is fundamentally about transgender physical selves – not just those of young people who confront restriction of their ability to live authentically in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the numerous participants who appear in the production.

I produce films with a meaning, and part of that is choosing people who are outstanding and eloquent enough to hold the camera, shared Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should wear for an filming, my response is anything that makes you feel attractive. This is important to me – as transgender individuals, we have difficulties so much with our self-perception.

Impact and Hope

One factor that makes Feder's works excel is his clear skill for making his transgender participants feel comfortable, recognized and appreciated. This technique creates genuine chemistry between Feder and Strangio, enabling the filmmaker to realize his aim of showing Strangio as a complete human being and providing a document for coming generations of how resiliently he and others have campaigned for trans rights.

I don't want people to end up in a state of constant hopelessness because of what the law is not giving us, stated Strangio. I want to be in a practice of using the law to minimize harm, but not to turn it into some type of conduit for our freedom possibilities. Official institutions is not going to be the reflection through which we view ourselves. We are that mirror, and it's very important that we persist having that discussion in addition to dialogues about pushing against these laws and approaches.

This significant film is presently available for online viewing during Trans Awareness Week and will receive a broader distribution at a future date.