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Transgender filmmaker Sam Feder's newest feature "Heightened Scrutiny" presents a moving two-part perspective – both an intimate portrait of a prominent transgender activist and a sharp examination of media reporting about transgender existence.

Legal Battle at the Supreme Court

This feature traces ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he prepares for court proceedings in the significant highest court case US v Skirmetti. These proceedings took place in late 2024, with the court finally deciding in favor of Tennessee's argument, practically permitting restrictions on treatment for transgender youth to stay in place across multiple US territories.

We produced Heightened Scrutiny in just 16 months, explained Feder during an interview. Meanwhile, my previous film Disclosure took me half a decade, so this was quite rushed. Our intention was to raise discussion so people would understand more about the case.

Human Narrative Amid Legal Struggle

While Feder offers a extensive critique of how prominent publications have spread transphobic rhetoric, the film's greatest achievement may be its captivating depiction of Strangio. Usually a measured lawyer in public appearances, Strangio shows his vulnerability throughout the documentary.

This represented a substantial challenge, to reveal aspects of my life to a camera lens that I had made efforts to keep private, explained Strangio. Feder told me he wanted future generations to know that we struggled, to see what was done in service of these battles for our basic existence.

Varied Perspectives in the Movement

To support Strangio's narrative, Feder includes various transgender advocates, including prominent leaders from journalism and the arts. The documentary also features perspectives from non-trans advocates who critique how established media outlets have added to harmful reporting of transgender individuals.

The viewpoint of transgender minors key to the legal case is illustrated through a remarkable young student named Mila. Viewers initially witness her speaking out for her community at a educational meeting, with later footage showing her demonstrating for transgender rights outside the highest court.

Intimate Scenes Beyond the Courtroom

Heightened Scrutiny also contains emotional moments where Feder steps outside the ongoing legal battle, such as scenes of Strangio traveling in Italy and getting a body art featuring verses from civil rights leader Pauli Murray's poem "Prediction."

The tattoo sequence is among my favorites in the movie, stated Strangio. Being tattooed is almost like a meditative experience for me, to be completely aware in my body and to view it as a container for things that are significant to me.

Physical Identity and Representation

The filmmaker's attention to carefully capturing Strangio getting to his body art highlights that this film is primarily about transgender bodies – not only those of young people who confront denial of their right to live genuinely in their own bodies, but also the bodies of the many interviewees who are featured in the film.

I produce films with a meaning, and part of that is choosing people who are brilliant and eloquent enough to sustain the camera, explained Feder. When people ask me what they should wear for an filming, my response is anything that makes you feel confident. This is crucial to me – as trans people, we have difficulties so much with our self-perception.

Legacy and Optimism

A key factor that makes Feder's films stand out is his clear skill for making his transgender subjects feel respected, seen and valued. This technique develops authentic connection between Feder and Strangio, helping the filmmaker to realize his goal of showing Strangio as a complete person and leaving a testament for posterity of how resiliently he and others have struggled for trans rights.

I don't want people to find themselves in a situation of perpetual hopelessness because of what the law is not giving us, stated Strangio. I aim to be in a process of using the law to minimize harm, but not to turn it into some type of conduit for our liberation potential. Official institutions is not going to be the mirror through which we see ourselves. We are that reflection, and it's very important that we persist having that dialogue together with dialogues about fighting back these regulations and practices.

Heightened Scrutiny is presently available for streaming during Trans Visibility Week and will receive a wider launch at a later date.