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Trans director Sam Feder's latest film "Heightened Scrutiny" provides a compelling two-part viewpoint – simultaneously an intimate portrait of a key trans activist and a pointed examination of media coverage about transgender rights.

Legal Battle at the Supreme Court

This feature follows ACLU lawyer 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 the state's case, essentially permitting bans on treatment for transgender young people to remain in effect across multiple US states.

We created Heightened Scrutiny in only 16 months, explained Feder during a conversation. In comparison, my earlier film Disclosure took me half a decade, so this was quite rushed. Our purpose was to raise dialogue so people would know more about the case.

Human Narrative Amid Legal Struggle

Although Feder presents a comprehensive examination of how mainstream media outlets have spread anti-trans narratives, the film's greatest achievement may be its captivating portrayal of Strangio. Usually a reserved lawyer in media appearances, Strangio reveals his authenticity throughout the production.

This represented a significant challenge, to open up parts of my life to a documentary crew that I had strived to keep confidential, stated Strangio. Feder said he wanted future generations to know that we fought, to see what was done in defense of these battles for our material survival.

Diverse Voices in the Movement

To strengthen Strangio's narrative, Feder features multiple trans advocates, such as respected figures from journalism and the arts. This production also includes perspectives from cisgender supporters who examine how respected publications have participated to damaging portrayals of transgender people.

The experience of trans young people central to the court battle is shown through a extraordinary young activist named Mila. Audiences initially witness her speaking out for her community at a educational meeting, with subsequent moments showing her demonstrating for trans rights outside the Supreme Court.

Personal Moments Beyond the Legal Battle

This film also includes touching moments where Feder transcends the constant legal battle, including sequences of Strangio traveling in Italy and getting a tattoo featuring verses from civil rights leader Pauli Murray's poem "Vision."

This ink moment is one of my most cherished sections in the movie, stated Strangio. Receiving body art is practically like a meditative process 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 Portrayal

The filmmaker's focus to carefully documenting Strangio adding to his tattoo collection emphasizes that this film is essentially about transgender bodies – not just those of young people who experience denial of their right to live truly in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the various subjects who appear in the production.

I create films with a meaning, and part of that is selecting people who are brilliant and eloquent enough to sustain the camera, stated Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should wear for an filming, my answer is whatever makes you feel attractive. This is crucial to me – as transgender individuals, we struggle so much with our image.

Impact and Optimism

One element that makes Feder's works stand out is his clear talent for making his trans subjects feel at ease, seen and valued. This technique develops real rapport between Feder and Strangio, allowing the director to accomplish his goal of showing Strangio as a multifaceted individual and providing a record for coming generations of how persistently he and others have campaigned for trans rights.

I don't want people to find themselves in a state of perpetual despair because of what the law is not giving us, stated Strangio. I aim to be in a practice of using the law to minimize harm, but not to transform it into some kind of pathway for our liberatory potential. The government is not going to be the reflection through which we perceive ourselves. Our community are that mirror, and it's extremely vital that we persist having that dialogue alongside discussions about resisting these regulations and practices.

This important documentary is now available for streaming during Transgender Awareness Week and will receive a more extensive launch at a later date.