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Trans director Sam Feder's latest documentary "Increased Examination" presents a moving dual viewpoint – simultaneously an personal profile of a key trans activist and a sharp examination of media reporting surrounding trans issues.

Judicial Struggle at the Supreme Court

This documentary traces ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he gears up for court proceedings in the important Supreme Court case the Skirmetti case. These proceedings took place in late 2024, with the judiciary ultimately ruling in support of Tennessee's argument, practically enabling restrictions on medical transition for transgender minors to stay in effect across over twenty US territories.

We made Heightened Scrutiny in only 16 months, explained Feder during an interview. By contrast, my earlier film Disclosure took me half a decade, so this was quite rushed. Our goal was to generate dialogue so people would learn more about the case.

Human Narrative Amid Legal Battle

While Feder presents a extensive critique of how major media outlets have spread transphobic rhetoric, the film's primary accomplishment may be its engaging portrayal of Strangio. Usually a measured lawyer in public appearances, Strangio shows his humanity throughout the film.

This represented a substantial challenge, to open up aspects of my life to a documentary crew that I had worked hard to keep personal, stated Strangio. Feder explained he wanted younger people to know that we struggled, to see what was done in service of these battles for our material survival.

Diverse Voices in the Movement

To support Strangio's narrative, Feder features various trans activists, such as well-known leaders from media and the arts. This production also features perspectives from non-trans allies who critique how respected organizations have contributed to negative reporting of transgender individuals.

The perspective of transgender young people central to the court battle is shown through a impressive 12-year-old activist named Mila. Viewers observe her fighting for her peers at a educational meeting, with subsequent footage showing her speaking for trans rights outside the Supreme Court.

Intimate Moments Beyond the Legal Battle

This film also includes touching moments where Feder transcends the never-ending political struggle, including footage of Strangio traveling in Italy and receiving a tattoo featuring words from activist Pauli Murray's poem "Prediction."

This ink sequence is among my favorites in the movie, stated Strangio. Getting inked is nearly like a contemplative experience for me, to be fully present in my body and to consider it as a vehicle for things that are meaningful to me.

Body Identity and Representation

The filmmaker's attention to lovingly showing Strangio adding to his tattoo collection highlights that this documentary is fundamentally about transgender physical selves – not only those of young people who confront denial of their right to live truly in their own bodies, but also the bodies of the numerous participants who are featured in the film.

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

Impact and Optimism

One aspect that makes Feder's documentaries excel is his obvious talent for making his transgender participants feel at ease, acknowledged and admired. This technique develops authentic chemistry between Feder and Strangio, enabling the director to accomplish his objective of showing Strangio as a whole individual and leaving a document for coming generations of how persistently he and others have struggled for trans rights.

I don't want people to end up in a place of constant hopelessness because of what the law is failing to provide us, shared Strangio. I aim to be in a practice of using the law to reduce harm, but not to make it some sort of conduit for our freedom potential. State bodies is not going to be the reflection through which we see ourselves. We are that reflection, and it's really vital that we persist having that conversation together with discussions about fighting back these laws and approaches.

This significant film is currently accessible for streaming during Transgender Awareness Week and will receive a broader launch at a later date.