🔗 Share this article

Trans director Sam Feder's recent feature "Heightened Scrutiny" offers a moving two-part viewpoint – both an intimate profile of a leading transgender advocate and a critical examination of media reporting about trans existence.

Judicial Battle at the Supreme Court

The film follows ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he prepares for court proceedings in the significant Supreme Court case the Skirmetti case. These proceedings occurred in December 2024, with the judiciary eventually deciding in favor of Tennessee's case, practically permitting limitations on healthcare for transgender young people to stay in place across over twenty US states.

We made Heightened Scrutiny in just 16 months, shared Feder during a conversation. Meanwhile, my earlier film Disclosure took me half a decade, so this was quite rushed. Our purpose was to raise discussion so people would learn more about the case.

Personal Story Amid Political Battle

Although Feder offers a comprehensive analysis of how major publications have disseminated anti-trans talking points, the film's greatest accomplishment may be its compelling depiction of Strangio. Usually a reserved attorney in public appearances, Strangio shows his vulnerability throughout the documentary.

That was a significant challenge, to open up aspects of my life to a documentary crew that I had worked hard to keep personal, shared Strangio. Feder said he wanted the next generation 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 enhance Strangio's account, Feder includes numerous trans advocates, such as prominent figures from media and entertainment. The documentary also presents insights from cisgender supporters who critique how mainstream organizations have participated to negative coverage of transgender individuals.

The perspective of transgender youth key to the court battle is represented through a impressive young student named Mila. Audiences first see her speaking out for her peers at a educational meeting, with subsequent footage showing her protesting for trans rights outside the highest court.

Intimate Scenes Beyond the Legal Battle

The documentary also features poignant moments where Feder steps outside the never-ending political struggle, such as sequences of Strangio vacationing in Italy and getting a tattoo featuring verses from activist Pauli Murray's poem "Prediction."

The tattoo sequence is among my most cherished sections in the movie, explained Strangio. Getting inked is nearly like a contemplative experience for me, to be fully present in my body and to think of it as a container for things that are significant to me.

Body Identity and Portrayal

Feder's focus to carefully showing Strangio adding to his tattoo collection highlights that Heightened Scrutiny is essentially about transgender bodies – not only those of young people who confront restriction of their right to live genuinely in their own bodies, but also the bodies of the numerous subjects who participate in the production.

I produce films with a message, and part of that is choosing people who are brilliant and concise enough to sustain the camera, shared Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should dress for an filming, my reply is anything that makes you feel hot. That is essential to me – as transgender individuals, we have difficulties so much with our image.

Legacy and Optimism

One factor that causes Feder's works shine is his obvious skill for making his transgender participants feel comfortable, acknowledged and appreciated. This technique fosters real connection between Feder and Strangio, enabling the director to achieve his goal of showing Strangio as a whole person and leaving a document for future generations of how resiliently he and others have fought for transgender rights.

I don't want people to end up in a situation of perpetual hopelessness because of what the law is not giving us, stated Strangio. I want to be in a practice of using the law to minimize harm, but not to make it some type of pathway for our freedom possibilities. State bodies is not going to be the reflection through which we see ourselves. Trans people are that mirror, and it's very crucial that we persist having that dialogue alongside conversations about pushing against these policies and procedures.

Heightened Scrutiny is presently available for online viewing during Trans Awareness Week and will receive a broader distribution at a future date.