🔗 Share this article

Transgender director Sam Feder's newest documentary "Heightened Scrutiny" presents a powerful dual perspective – both an intimate portrait of a prominent transgender advocate and a sharp analysis of journalistic reporting about transgender existence.

Legal Struggle at the Supreme Court

This feature documents ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he gets ready for oral arguments in the important highest court case US v Skirmetti. This legal battle occurred in December 2024, with the judiciary eventually ruling in support of the state's case, effectively enabling bans on treatment for transgender minors to remain in place across numerous US territories.

We created Heightened Scrutiny in just 16 months, explained Feder during an interview. In comparison, my earlier film Disclosure took me half a decade, so this was quite rushed. Our goal was to stimulate conversation so people would understand more about the case.

Human Narrative Amid Political Battle

Although Feder presents a thorough analysis of how major media outlets have spread anti-trans narratives, the film's most valuable achievement may be its engaging portrayal of Strangio. Usually a reserved lawyer in public appearances, Strangio reveals his vulnerability throughout the film.

That was a major challenge, to reveal parts of my life to a documentary crew that I had made efforts to keep personal, stated Strangio. Feder explained he wanted the next generation to know that we fought, to see what was done in defense of these struggles for our basic existence.

Diverse Perspectives in the Struggle

To support Strangio's story, Feder includes multiple trans activists, including respected leaders from journalism and entertainment. This production also includes viewpoints from cisgender advocates who critique how mainstream media outlets have participated to negative coverage of transgender people.

The perspective of transgender minors key to the legal case is shown through a extraordinary young activist named Mila. Audiences observe her speaking out for her fellow students at a school board meeting, with subsequent scenes showing her protesting for transgender rights outside the Supreme Court.

Personal Scenes Beyond the Courtroom

The documentary also contains emotional moments where Feder transcends the ongoing political struggle, including scenes of Strangio traveling in Italy and getting a tattoo featuring words from activist Pauli Murray's poem "Vision."

The tattoo moment is among my preferred parts in the movie, shared Strangio. Getting inked is practically like a meditative process 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 Portrayal

Feder's dedication to lovingly documenting Strangio adding to his body art emphasizes that this documentary is primarily about transgender bodies – not just those of young people who face denial of their right to live genuinely in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the numerous interviewees who participate in the production.

I produce films with a meaning, and part of that is selecting people who are outstanding and articulate enough to carry the camera, stated Feder. When people ask me what they should wear for an filming, my response is whatever makes you feel attractive. That is essential to me – as transgender individuals, we struggle so much with our appearance.

Impact and Hope

A key factor that causes Feder's documentaries excel is his obvious talent for making his transgender participants feel at ease, acknowledged and valued. This technique fosters real rapport between Feder and Strangio, helping the filmmaker to accomplish his goal of portraying Strangio as a whole person and leaving a testament for posterity of how determinedly he and others have campaigned for transgender rights.

I hope not people to find themselves in a situation of perpetual discouragement because of what the law is not giving us, explained Strangio. I strive to be in a process of using the law to lessen harm, but not to turn it into some type 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 very important that we persist having that discussion together with dialogues about resisting these policies and practices.

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