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Trans documentarian Sam Feder's latest film "Heightened Scrutiny" provides a powerful two-part perspective – both an personal portrait of a key transgender advocate and a sharp analysis of media reporting about transgender rights.

Judicial Battle at the Highest Court

This documentary traces ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he gears up for oral arguments in the landmark Supreme Court case US v Skirmetti. These proceedings took place in December 2024, with the judiciary eventually deciding in support of Tennessee's case, practically allowing restrictions on treatment for transgender young people to remain in place across over twenty US territories.

We created Heightened Scrutiny in just 16 months, stated Feder during a discussion. In comparison, my previous film Disclosure took me five years, so this was a real push. Our intention was to stimulate discussion so people would learn more about the case.

Personal Story Amid Legal Battle

While Feder presents a thorough critique of how major news organizations have promoted transphobic narratives, the film's greatest accomplishment may be its captivating portrayal of Strangio. Usually a measured attorney in public settings, Strangio shows his humanity throughout the film.

This represented a substantial challenge, to reveal aspects of my life to a filmmaker that I had made efforts to keep private, shared Strangio. Sam said he wanted the next generation to know that we struggled, to see what was done in service of these fights for our material survival.

Diverse Perspectives in the Struggle

To support Strangio's narrative, Feder features various trans voices, such as respected leaders from media and entertainment. This production also presents viewpoints from cisgender supporters who critique how respected publications have added to harmful portrayals of trans people.

The perspective of trans minors key to the court battle is illustrated through a remarkable 12-year-old girl named Mila. Viewers first see her advocating for her peers at a educational meeting, with subsequent moments showing her protesting for transgender rights outside the Supreme Court.

Personal Moments Beyond the Legal Battle

This film also includes emotional moments where Feder transcends the constant legal battle, including sequences of Strangio traveling in Italy and receiving a body art featuring words from activist Pauli Murray's poem "Vision."

This body art scene is one of my favorites in the movie, shared Strangio. Getting inked is practically like a meditative process for me, to be totally engaged in my body and to consider it as a vehicle for things that are important to me.

Physical Identity and Portrayal

The filmmaker's dedication to lovingly showing Strangio adding to his tattoo collection emphasizes that this film is fundamentally about transgender bodies – not only those of youth who face restriction of their right to live truly in their own bodies, but also the physical forms of the numerous subjects who appear in the film.

I produce films with a meaning, and part of that is picking people who are exceptional and eloquent enough to sustain the camera, stated Feder. When people ask me what they should wear for an filming, my reply is anything that makes you feel attractive. That is essential to me – as trans people, we face challenges so much with our self-perception.

Legacy and Optimism

One aspect that causes Feder's documentaries shine is his evident skill for making his transgender interviewees feel respected, acknowledged and appreciated. This methodology fosters real chemistry between Feder and Strangio, helping the filmmaker to realize his aim of showing Strangio as a complete individual and providing a document for posterity of how determinedly he and fellow activists have campaigned for trans liberties.

I hope not people to find themselves in a place of constant despair because of what the law is not giving us, explained Strangio. I want to be in a method of using the law to reduce harm, but not to make it some kind of pathway for our liberation aspirations. State bodies is not going to be the mirror through which we see ourselves. We are that reflection, and it's really important that we keep having that discussion alongside discussions about pushing against these laws and practices.

Heightened Scrutiny is now accessible for online viewing during Trans Awareness Week and will receive a more extensive release at a subsequent date.