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Transgender documentarian Sam Feder's latest film "Increased Examination" provides a moving two-part perspective – both an emotional portrait of a key trans advocate and a critical examination of media reporting surrounding trans existence.

Legal Battle at the Highest Court

This documentary follows ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he gets ready for court proceedings in the landmark Supreme Court case the Skirmetti case. These arguments occurred in December 2024, with the judiciary ultimately ruling in support of Tennessee's argument, essentially permitting limitations on treatment for transgender youth to stay in place across over twenty US territories.

We created Heightened Scrutiny in merely 16 months, stated Feder during a conversation. Meanwhile, my previous film Disclosure took me five years, so this was quite rushed. Our purpose was to generate conversation so people would understand more about the case.

Personal Story Amid Legal Struggle

While Feder provides a comprehensive critique of how major news organizations have promoted transphobic rhetoric, the film's primary achievement may be its compelling portrayal of Strangio. Typically a reserved lawyer in public appearances, Strangio reveals his humanity throughout the production.

This represented a major challenge, to open up parts of my life to a filmmaker that I had worked hard to keep confidential, stated Strangio. Sam told me he wanted future generations to know that we tried, to see what was done in defense of these battles for our basic existence.

Diverse Voices in the Struggle

To support Strangio's story, Feder features numerous transgender advocates, such as well-known individuals from journalism and the arts. The documentary also presents perspectives from non-trans advocates who examine how mainstream publications have added to harmful reporting of trans people.

The viewpoint of trans young people key to the court battle is shown through a extraordinary 12-year-old girl named Mila. Audiences initially witness her speaking out for her community at a school board meeting, with later scenes showing her protesting for transgender rights outside the highest court.

Intimate Scenes Beyond the Courtroom

This film also features poignant moments where Feder transcends the ongoing political struggle, such as scenes of Strangio traveling in Italy and getting a body art featuring verses from activist Pauli Murray's poem "Vision."

The tattoo scene is among my favorites in the movie, stated Strangio. Getting inked is almost like a reflective process for me, to be fully present in my body and to consider it as a container for things that are significant to me.

Physical Identity and Portrayal

Feder's dedication to lovingly showing Strangio adding to his body art highlights that this documentary is fundamentally about trans physical selves – not just those of youth who experience denial of their right to live truly in their own bodies, but also the bodies of the numerous interviewees who appear in the production.

I produce films with a meaning, and part of that is picking people who are brilliant and concise enough to carry the camera, explained Feder. When people ask me what they should dress for an filming, my response is whatever makes you feel hot. That is important to me – as transgender individuals, we face challenges so much with our image.

Impact and Optimism

One factor that makes Feder's documentaries stand out is his clear talent for making his trans participants feel comfortable, recognized and appreciated. This methodology develops real rapport between Feder and Strangio, allowing the filmmaker to achieve his objective of showing Strangio as a whole human being and providing a document for coming generations of how persistently he and fellow activists have fought for trans liberties.

I hope not people to end up in a situation of incessant hopelessness because of what the law is denying us, stated Strangio. I strive to be in a process of using the law to lessen harm, but not to make it some kind of pathway for our liberatory aspirations. State bodies is not going to be the reflection through which we perceive ourselves. Our community are that reflection, and it's very crucial that we persist having that discussion together with discussions about resisting these laws and approaches.

This important documentary is now accessible for streaming during Trans Awareness Week and will receive a broader release at a subsequent date.