🔗 Share this article

Trans director Sam Feder's newest film "Heightened Scrutiny" presents a compelling two-part perspective – both an emotional profile of a key trans advocate and a critical examination of journalistic coverage surrounding trans rights.

Legal Battle at the Supreme Court

This documentary follows ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he gears up for legal presentations in the significant Supreme Court case US v Skirmetti. This legal battle took place in late 2024, with the judiciary eventually ruling in favor of Tennessee's case, practically allowing bans on medical transition for transgender minors to remain in place across multiple US states.

We created Heightened Scrutiny in merely 16 months, explained Feder during a discussion. Meanwhile, my earlier film Disclosure took me five years, so this was very accelerated. Our goal was to raise dialogue so people would learn more about the case.

Personal Narrative Amid Legal Struggle

While Feder provides a comprehensive examination of how mainstream publications have promoted transphobic narratives, the film's primary accomplishment may be its captivating depiction of Strangio. Typically a reserved lawyer in media settings, Strangio displays his humanity throughout the documentary.

This represented a major challenge, to open up aspects of my life to a camera lens that I had strived to keep confidential, explained Strangio. Sam said he wanted the next generation to know that we tried, to see what was done in support of these struggles for our basic existence.

Varied Voices in the Struggle

To support Strangio's story, Feder includes multiple trans activists, including well-known individuals from activism and entertainment. This film also presents insights from non-trans advocates who analyze how mainstream publications have participated to harmful coverage of transgender individuals.

The experience of transgender minors central to the legal case is represented through a impressive young student named Mila. Viewers first see her advocating for her fellow students at a school board meeting, with subsequent scenes showing her protesting for transgender rights outside the Supreme Court.

Personal Moments Beyond the Courtroom

The documentary also features poignant moments where Feder transcends the ongoing legal battle, such as footage of Strangio vacationing in Italy and getting a body art featuring words from civil rights leader Pauli Murray's poem "Prophecy."

This ink sequence is one of my favorites in the movie, shared Strangio. Being tattooed is nearly like a reflective process for me, to be fully present in my body and to view it as a vehicle for things that are important to me.

Body Autonomy and Representation

The filmmaker's focus to carefully showing Strangio getting to his tattoo collection underscores that Heightened Scrutiny is fundamentally about trans bodies – not just those of youth who face prohibition of their right to live genuinely in their own bodies, but also the bodies of the many interviewees who are featured in the production.

I produce films with a message, and part of that is picking people who are outstanding and articulate enough to hold the camera, explained Feder. When people ask me what they should wear for an interview, my reply is anything that makes you feel attractive. This is essential to me – as transgender individuals, we face challenges so much with our self-perception.

Impact and Hope

One element that causes Feder's documentaries excel is his evident skill for making his trans interviewees feel respected, seen and appreciated. This methodology develops real connection between Feder and Strangio, helping the filmmaker to achieve his objective of portraying Strangio as a multifaceted human being and leaving a testament for future generations of how persistently he and others have campaigned for trans rights.

I don't want people to end up in a situation of perpetual hopelessness because of what the law is failing to provide us, shared Strangio. I strive to be in a method of using the law to reduce harm, but not to transform it into some type of conduit for our liberatory potential. Official institutions is not going to be the reflection through which we view ourselves. Trans people are that reflection, and it's extremely important that we keep having that dialogue alongside discussions about pushing against these regulations and practices.

Heightened Scrutiny is currently obtainable for online viewing during Transgender Awareness Week and will receive a more extensive distribution at a subsequent date.