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Trans director Sam Feder's latest film "Heightened Scrutiny" presents a powerful dual viewpoint – simultaneously an personal profile of a prominent transgender activist and a sharp examination of journalistic coverage about transgender issues.

Judicial Battle at the Highest Court

The film follows ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he gets ready for legal presentations in the important highest court case the Skirmetti case. These arguments took place in December 2024, with the judiciary ultimately deciding in support of Tennessee's case, practically enabling bans on treatment for transgender minors to stay in effect across numerous US territories.

We made Heightened Scrutiny in only 16 months, explained Feder during a conversation. By contrast, my previous film Disclosure took me five years, so this was quite rushed. Our goal was to raise dialogue so people would learn more about the case.

Personal Story Amid Political Battle

While Feder offers a comprehensive examination of how mainstream media outlets have disseminated transphobic talking points, the film's most valuable contribution may be its compelling portrayal of Strangio. Normally a cautious attorney in public settings, Strangio reveals his humanity throughout the film.

That was a substantial challenge, to reveal aspects of my life to a filmmaker that I had made efforts to keep personal, stated Strangio. Sam explained he wanted the next generation to know that we tried, to see what was done in service of these fights for our basic existence.

Diverse Voices in the Struggle

To strengthen Strangio's story, Feder incorporates various transgender activists, including well-known leaders from activism and the arts. This film also presents viewpoints from non-trans advocates who analyze how established media outlets have participated to damaging reporting of trans individuals.

The experience of transgender minors central to the legal case is represented through a impressive 12-year-old student named Mila. Viewers first see her fighting for her fellow students at a school board meeting, with later footage showing her protesting for trans rights outside the Supreme Court.

Personal Moments Beyond the Courtroom

The documentary also contains emotional moments where Feder steps outside the ongoing legal battle, including sequences of Strangio vacationing in Italy and getting a tattoo featuring verses from activist Pauli Murray's poem "Prediction."

The tattoo moment is one of my most cherished sections in the movie, shared Strangio. Being tattooed is nearly like a contemplative experience for me, to be fully present in my body and to consider it as a vehicle for things that are meaningful to me.

Physical Autonomy and Portrayal

The filmmaker's attention to carefully showing Strangio getting to his tattoo collection highlights that Heightened Scrutiny is essentially about transgender bodies – not only those of youth who confront restriction of their right to live truly in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the various participants who appear in the documentary.

I make films with a message, and part of that is picking people who are brilliant and eloquent enough to carry the camera, shared Feder. When people ask me what they should wear for an filming, my response is anything that makes you feel attractive. This is important to me – as transgender individuals, we struggle so much with our appearance.

Legacy and Hope

One element that makes Feder's works excel is his clear ability for making his transgender interviewees feel comfortable, acknowledged and valued. This technique creates authentic chemistry between Feder and Strangio, enabling the director to accomplish his objective of showing Strangio as a whole person and leaving a record for future generations of how persistently he and others have struggled for trans liberties.

I don't want people to find themselves in a state of constant discouragement because of what the law is denying us, explained Strangio. I aim to be in a method of using the law to reduce harm, but not to turn it into some sort of channel for our freedom potential. Official institutions is not going to be the reflection through which we view ourselves. Trans people are that reflection, and it's extremely crucial that we continue having that dialogue in addition to dialogues about resisting these policies and approaches.

Heightened Scrutiny is now accessible for streaming during Transgender Awareness Week and will receive a more extensive release at a future date.