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Trans director Sam Feder's newest documentary "Heightened Scrutiny" presents a powerful dual viewpoint – both an personal portrait of a leading trans advocate and a pointed analysis of journalistic coverage about trans issues.

Legal Battle at the Highest Court

This documentary documents ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he gears up for legal presentations in the landmark highest court case the Skirmetti case. This legal battle occurred in December 2024, with the judiciary eventually deciding in favor of the state's position, effectively allowing limitations on healthcare for trans young people to remain in effect across multiple US states.

We made Heightened Scrutiny in just 16 months, shared Feder during a discussion. Meanwhile, my previous film Disclosure took me five years, so this was quite rushed. Our goal was to generate dialogue so people would learn more about the case.

Human Story Amid Political Battle

Although Feder offers a comprehensive analysis of how mainstream media outlets have spread transphobic narratives, the film's most valuable accomplishment may be its engaging portrayal of Strangio. Usually a cautious attorney in media settings, Strangio shows his humanity throughout the film.

This represented a major challenge, to share aspects of my life to a documentary crew that I had made efforts to keep confidential, shared Strangio. Sam explained he wanted the next generation to know that we fought, to see what was done in defense of these fights for our fundamental rights.

Diverse Perspectives in the Movement

To strengthen Strangio's narrative, Feder includes numerous transgender advocates, such as respected leaders from activism and entertainment. The documentary also features viewpoints from non-trans supporters who analyze how established publications have participated to negative reporting of trans individuals.

The viewpoint of trans youth central to the court battle is illustrated through a extraordinary young activist named Mila. Audiences observe her speaking out for her fellow students at a school board meeting, with subsequent footage showing her protesting for transgender rights outside the Supreme Court.

Personal Scenes Beyond the Legal Battle

The documentary also features poignant moments where Feder moves beyond the ongoing legal battle, including footage of Strangio vacationing in Italy and receiving a tattoo featuring words from civil rights leader Pauli Murray's poem "Vision."

This ink scene is among my most cherished sections in the movie, explained Strangio. Getting inked is nearly like a meditative experience for me, to be completely aware in my body and to think of it as a vessel for things that are meaningful to me.

Physical Autonomy and Portrayal

The filmmaker's dedication to lovingly showing Strangio getting to his body art underscores that this documentary is essentially about trans physical selves – not just those of young people who confront restriction of their ability to live authentically in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the many participants who are featured in the film.

I create films with a purpose, and part of that is choosing people who are brilliant and eloquent enough to carry the camera, explained Feder. Whenever people ask me what they should wear for an interview, my answer is whatever makes you feel attractive. That is essential to me – as trans people, we struggle so much with our self-perception.

Impact and Hope

A key factor that makes Feder's films shine is his evident talent for making his transgender subjects feel at ease, recognized and admired. This technique creates genuine rapport between Feder and Strangio, allowing the director to achieve his aim of presenting Strangio as a multifaceted individual and providing a document for posterity of how persistently he and others have struggled for trans liberties.

I don't want people to find themselves in a situation of perpetual hopelessness because of what the law is not giving us, explained Strangio. I strive to be in a method of using the law to minimize harm, but not to turn it into some sort of conduit for our liberatory aspirations. The government is not going to be the reflection through which we perceive ourselves. Trans people are that mirror, and it's extremely vital that we keep having that dialogue alongside dialogues about resisting these policies and practices.

Heightened Scrutiny is currently available for online viewing during Trans Visibility Week and will receive a more extensive distribution at a later date.