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Trans documentarian Sam Feder's recent feature "Increased Examination" provides a powerful two-part perspective – both an personal profile of a key transgender advocate and a critical analysis of media reporting about transgender rights.

Legal Struggle at the Highest Court

The film documents ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he gears up for court proceedings in the significant Supreme Court case the Skirmetti case. These proceedings occurred in December 2024, with the court ultimately deciding in support of Tennessee's argument, practically allowing bans on healthcare for trans young people to remain in place across numerous US states.

We made Heightened Scrutiny in merely 16 months, shared Feder during a discussion. Meanwhile, my earlier film Disclosure took me five years, so this was a real push. Our intention was to generate dialogue so people would know more about the case.

Human Narrative Amid Legal Battle

While Feder offers a thorough examination of how prominent publications have disseminated anti-trans talking points, the film's most valuable contribution may be its compelling depiction of Strangio. Normally a cautious attorney in public settings, Strangio reveals his authenticity throughout the documentary.

This represented a major challenge, to reveal parts of my life to a camera lens that I had strived to keep personal, explained Strangio. Feder told me he wanted future generations to know that we struggled, to see what was done in support of these struggles for our basic existence.

Diverse Perspectives in the Movement

To strengthen Strangio's account, Feder incorporates various trans voices, such as prominent leaders from media and entertainment. This production also includes viewpoints from cisgender supporters who analyze how established organizations have contributed to negative coverage of trans people.

The viewpoint of trans minors central to the court battle is shown through a remarkable young activist named Mila. Audiences observe her advocating for her fellow students at a school board meeting, with later scenes showing her speaking for trans rights outside the highest court.

Intimate Moments Beyond the Courtroom

The documentary also includes poignant moments where Feder steps outside the never-ending political battle, such as scenes of Strangio vacationing in Italy and getting a tattoo featuring lines from civil rights leader Pauli Murray's poem "Prediction."

This ink scene is one of my preferred parts in the movie, explained Strangio. Getting inked is practically like a contemplative experience for me, to be totally engaged in my body and to think of it as a container for things that are meaningful to me.

Physical Autonomy and Representation

The filmmaker's focus to carefully documenting Strangio getting to his body art underscores that this film is essentially about transgender bodies – not only those of youth who experience denial of their right to live genuinely in their own bodies, but also the bodies of the many interviewees who participate in the film.

I make films with a message, and part of that is selecting people who are brilliant and articulate enough to hold the camera, shared Feder. When people ask me what they should wear for an interview, my answer is anything that makes you feel confident. This is important to me – as transgender individuals, we face challenges so much with our self-perception.

Impact and Hope

A key element that causes Feder's films stand out is his clear talent for making his trans subjects feel at ease, acknowledged and admired. This methodology creates genuine rapport between Feder and Strangio, helping the director to realize his objective of presenting Strangio as a whole individual and leaving a record for posterity of how determinedly he and fellow activists have campaigned for transgender rights.

I hope not people to end up in a situation of perpetual discouragement because of what the law is denying us, explained Strangio. I strive to be in a process of using the law to reduce harm, but not to transform it into some kind of conduit for our freedom potential. Official institutions is not going to be the reflection through which we see ourselves. Trans people are that reflection, and it's extremely important that we persist having that discussion in addition to conversations about fighting back these laws and procedures.

This important documentary is now obtainable for streaming during Trans Visibility Week and will receive a more extensive release at a future date.