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Trans filmmaker Sam Feder's recent feature "Heightened Scrutiny" offers a moving dual viewpoint – both an intimate profile of a prominent trans advocate and a sharp examination of journalistic coverage about trans issues.

Legal Battle at the Highest Court

The film traces ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he prepares for oral arguments in the significant highest court case US v Skirmetti. These arguments occurred in late 2024, with the judiciary finally deciding in support of the state's case, essentially enabling bans on healthcare for transgender youth to remain in effect across over twenty US territories.

We made Heightened Scrutiny in just 16 months, shared Feder during an interview. In comparison, my earlier film Disclosure took me half a decade, so this was a real push. Our purpose was to stimulate conversation so people would learn more about the case.

Human Narrative Amid Legal Struggle

While Feder presents a thorough examination of how prominent publications have disseminated anti-trans narratives, the film's primary accomplishment may be its compelling portrayal of Strangio. Typically a cautious lawyer in media appearances, Strangio shows his humanity throughout the production.

This represented a significant challenge, to open up parts of my life to a filmmaker that I had made efforts to keep private, shared Strangio. Sam said he wanted future generations to know that we tried, to see what was done in service of these battles for our basic existence.

Varied Voices in the Movement

To strengthen Strangio's story, Feder incorporates various transgender voices, such as well-known individuals from activism and entertainment. This production also presents viewpoints from cisgender advocates who analyze how mainstream publications have contributed to harmful coverage of trans people.

The perspective of transgender minors central to the legal case is shown through a extraordinary 12-year-old girl named Mila. Audiences observe her advocating for her peers at a school board meeting, with later scenes showing her protesting for trans rights outside the Supreme Court.

Intimate Moments Beyond the Legal Battle

This film also contains touching moments where Feder transcends the constant legal struggle, including footage of Strangio vacationing in Italy and receiving a body art featuring lines from activist Pauli Murray's poem "Prediction."

This ink moment is among my preferred parts in the movie, explained Strangio. Being tattooed is practically like a meditative experience for me, to be fully present in my body and to consider it as a container for things that are important to me.

Body Identity and Representation

The filmmaker's dedication to carefully showing Strangio getting to his tattoo collection highlights that this film is fundamentally about trans bodies – not only those of young people who confront prohibition of their ability to live truly in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the many subjects who are featured in the production.

I make films with a meaning, and part of that is picking people who are exceptional and concise enough to hold the camera, stated Feder. When people ask me what they should dress for an interview, my answer is whatever makes you feel confident. That is essential to me – as transgender individuals, we struggle so much with our self-perception.

Impact and Optimism

One element that makes Feder's documentaries stand out is his evident skill for making his trans interviewees feel at ease, recognized and admired. This technique creates genuine connection between Feder and Strangio, enabling the director to achieve his aim of portraying Strangio as a complete person and leaving a record for coming generations of how persistently he and fellow activists have struggled for trans liberties.

I don't want people to end up in a state of constant discouragement because of what the law is not giving us, stated Strangio. I strive to be in a process of using the law to reduce harm, but not to make it some kind of channel for our liberatory aspirations. The government is not going to be the reflection through which we view ourselves. We are that reflection, and it's extremely important that we keep having that conversation alongside conversations about pushing against these policies and procedures.

Heightened Scrutiny is presently obtainable for online viewing during Trans Visibility Week and will receive a wider launch at a subsequent date.