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Trans director Sam Feder's newest documentary "Increased Examination" presents a powerful two-part perspective – both an personal profile of a key transgender advocate and a pointed examination of media coverage about transgender issues.

Legal Struggle at the Highest Court

The film documents ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he prepares for oral arguments in the significant Supreme Court case the Skirmetti case. These arguments happened in December 2024, with the court ultimately ruling in favor of Tennessee's argument, practically enabling bans on treatment for transgender youth to remain in effect across numerous US states.

We produced Heightened Scrutiny in just 16 months, explained Feder during a conversation. In comparison, my previous film Disclosure took me half a decade, so this was very accelerated. Our intention was to generate discussion so people would learn more about the case.

Personal Story Amid Legal Battle

While Feder provides a thorough analysis of how mainstream publications have promoted transphobic talking points, the film's greatest contribution may be its engaging portrayal of Strangio. Typically a reserved lawyer in public settings, Strangio shows his authenticity throughout the film.

This represented a substantial challenge, to open up aspects of my life to a documentary crew that I had made efforts to keep personal, explained Strangio. Sam said he wanted younger people to know that we tried, to see what was done in support of these battles for our basic existence.

Varied Perspectives in the Movement

To strengthen Strangio's account, Feder features multiple transgender advocates, including well-known figures from journalism and the arts. This film also presents perspectives from cisgender advocates who analyze how established organizations have added to harmful portrayals of transgender people.

The perspective of trans minors key to the court battle is shown through a extraordinary young student named Mila. Viewers initially witness her speaking out for her peers at a school board meeting, with later moments showing her protesting for transgender rights outside the Supreme Court.

Intimate Moments Beyond the Courtroom

The documentary also features poignant moments where Feder steps outside the ongoing political battle, including scenes of Strangio vacationing in Italy and getting a tattoo featuring verses from activist Pauli Murray's poem "Prophecy."

This body art scene is one of my preferred parts in the movie, explained Strangio. Getting inked is practically like a contemplative experience for me, to be fully present in my body and to view it as a container for things that are important to me.

Physical Identity and Representation

Feder's dedication to lovingly capturing Strangio adding to his tattoo collection underscores that this documentary is fundamentally about transgender bodies – not only those of young people who face prohibition of their right to live genuinely in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the various subjects who appear in the production.

I make films with a meaning, and part of that is choosing people who are exceptional and articulate enough to sustain the camera, explained Feder. When people ask me what they should dress for an filming, my response is anything that makes you feel hot. This is crucial to me – as trans people, we face challenges so much with our appearance.

Legacy and Hope

One element that causes Feder's documentaries excel is his obvious ability for making his transgender subjects feel comfortable, acknowledged and admired. This methodology fosters real chemistry between Feder and Strangio, helping the director to accomplish his goal of presenting Strangio as a complete person and leaving a record for future generations of how resiliently he and fellow activists have struggled for trans liberties.

I hope not people to find themselves in a state of perpetual despair because of what the law is not giving us, explained Strangio. I want to be in a method of using the law to reduce harm, but not to turn it into some sort of conduit for our liberation possibilities. State bodies is not going to be the reflection through which we see ourselves. Our community are that mirror, and it's really crucial that we persist having that discussion alongside dialogues about pushing against these regulations and approaches.

This important documentary is currently available for streaming during Transgender Awareness Week and will receive a wider launch at a future date.