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Transgender documentarian Sam Feder's newest documentary "Increased Examination" presents a moving two-part viewpoint – simultaneously an personal portrait of a prominent trans activist and a sharp examination of media reporting about trans existence.

Judicial Struggle at the Supreme Court

This documentary traces ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he gears up for court proceedings in the significant highest court case US v Skirmetti. These proceedings took place in late 2024, with the court finally ruling in favor of Tennessee's position, practically allowing restrictions on medical transition for trans youth to remain in place across numerous US states.

We made Heightened Scrutiny in just 16 months, explained Feder during a discussion. In comparison, my previous film Disclosure took me five years, so this was quite rushed. Our intention was to stimulate conversation so people would understand more about the case.

Personal Story Amid Political Struggle

While Feder presents a extensive critique of how mainstream publications have disseminated transphobic talking points, the film's most valuable achievement may be its compelling portrayal of Strangio. Normally a measured lawyer in media settings, Strangio shows his humanity throughout the production.

This represented a significant challenge, to reveal aspects of my life to a camera lens that I had made efforts to keep confidential, explained Strangio. Sam told me he wanted younger people to know that we struggled, to see what was done in defense of these battles for our material survival.

Varied Voices in the Movement

To support Strangio's narrative, Feder features multiple transgender advocates, such as well-known figures from media and the arts. The documentary also includes perspectives from cisgender supporters who analyze how respected organizations have contributed to harmful portrayals of trans individuals.

The experience of trans youth key to the legal case is represented through a impressive 12-year-old girl named Mila. Viewers observe her fighting for her fellow students at a school board meeting, with later footage showing her demonstrating for trans rights outside the Supreme Court.

Intimate Scenes Beyond the Courtroom

Heightened Scrutiny also contains emotional moments where Feder transcends the constant legal battle, including sequences of Strangio vacationing in Italy and getting a body art featuring verses from civil rights leader Pauli Murray's poem "Prediction."

This body art sequence is one of my preferred parts in the movie, explained Strangio. Receiving body art is almost like a meditative process for me, to be totally engaged in my body and to view it as a container for things that are meaningful to me.

Physical Autonomy and Representation

The filmmaker's dedication to carefully documenting Strangio getting to his tattoo collection highlights that this film is essentially about transgender physical selves – not only those of young people who experience prohibition of their right to live authentically in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the various subjects who are featured in the production.

I create films with a meaning, and part of that is picking people who are outstanding and concise enough to carry the camera, explained Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should dress for an filming, my answer is anything that makes you feel attractive. That is important to me – as trans people, we face challenges so much with our self-perception.

Impact and Hope

A key factor that makes Feder's works shine is his evident talent for making his transgender interviewees feel comfortable, acknowledged and valued. This technique creates real rapport between Feder and Strangio, helping the director to achieve his objective of presenting Strangio as a multifaceted human being and leaving a record for coming generations of how resiliently he and others have campaigned for transgender rights.

I don't want people to end up in a place of incessant despair because of what the law is not giving us, shared Strangio. I aim to be in a method of using the law to minimize harm, but not to transform it into some sort of pathway for our freedom aspirations. The government is not going to be the mirror through which we perceive ourselves. Trans people are that reflection, and it's extremely important that we persist having that dialogue alongside dialogues about pushing against these laws and approaches.

This important documentary is currently available for streaming during Trans Visibility Week and will receive a wider release at a future date.