See how NYT's heightened scrutiny of trans lives led to the Supreme Court ruling against us 📽️ 📰 ⚖️
We, the Being Alive Film Society of one, enthusiastically endorse seeing Sam Feder's new doc—Heightened Scrutiny—in a theater this month
Director Sam Feder and I first connected almost a decade ago through a collective of queer film producers. At the time, Sam was developing a documentary about trans representations in film, an update of sorts to The Celluloid Closet. The idea was, and the resulting movie is, genius.
Three years later, January 2020, the documentary premiered to acclaim at Sundance and then… well, you know what happens after every story that starts like that. Instead of seeing Disclosure on a giant screen surrounded by people, I streamed the film alone in my Brooklyn apartment. I sobbed. I couldn’t stop crying. I hadn’t realized how much anxiety I held in my body every day until I saw, with warm lighting, how the films and TV that I held dear had shaped how the world perceived me.
Sam and I ran into each other last spring at a local school board meeting. We hadn’t seen each other in a while and sat side-by-side in the back, stunned by the anti-trans movement taking root in Manhattan. (The whole experience broke me for a time.) In between proceedings, I leaned over and asked what he was working on. Sam whispered back: “Disclosure 2. This time, focused on how the news media represents us. But I don’t have much time, there’s a window we need to work in.” Our conversation was cut short by the contentious meeting. I went home; Sam went to work.
In some kind of miraculous sprint that I still can’t comprehend, Sam and his team shot, edited, and finished that new doc in time to submit to Sundance, where it premiered, exactly five years after Disclosure. The result, Heightened Scrutiny, is a powerful artifact of this moment.
Heightened Scrutiny makes the case that the way trans lives are covered by mainstream-left media organizations (The New York Times, The Atlantic, etc.) directly influences and aids the targeted legislative efforts attacking trans rights. Woven through the sit-down interviews is the story of ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio preparing to argue the recent Skrmetti case in front of the Supreme Court. We literally ride along with Chase as he prepares his body and mind to be the first openly trans lawyer to stand before the justices.
Many festivals now stream their selections for limited windows (thanks, COVID!) which meant I could watch (and cry during) another Sam Feder project in the dis/comfort of my Brooklyn apartment. At least this time I wasn’t all alone. My bestie, John, put his law degree and half a lifetime of friendship to work keeping me company.
The film is a parade of distinguished journalists, academics, and advocates: Jelani Cobb, Laverne Cox, Gina Chua, Lydia Polgreen, Erin Reed, Sabrina Imbler, Miss Peppermint, Elliot Page, Alberto Cairo, Tre’vell Anderson, and so many more.
And a portrait of a brave, vulnerable, and tireless Chase Strangio.
When the film premiered at NewFest Pride it was to a packed theater of NYC queers. The kind of community event where you see queer icons, friends, your friend’s therapist, and your therapist’s friends. The situation for all of us is already so much worse than when Sam finished the film in December. The energy in the room was anxious but comforting. It felt good to hear the echo of collective sighs and the release of some well-timed laughs.
After the screening, NewFest programmer Anton Astudillo moderated a Q&A with a panel of filmmakers and participants, which was simultaneously heartbreaking and hopeful. We’re all figuring out how to take care of ourselves and each other in the midst of relentless attacks on our community and so many others. It helps to be in the same room and remember that we’re all in this together.
Heightened Scrutiny begins in its theatrical run this week in NYC, followed by LA and SF. Keep reading for information on where to buy tickets.
And for the NYers, Sam and the team have lined up an INCREDIBLE series of post-screening Q&As. I highly recommend this dose of community (and air conditioning.)
xx Kyle
“Why we always got to be civil rights leaders and stuff, you know what I mean? I would just like to live and exist like everybody else.” — Tre'vell Anderson
See Heightened Scrutiny in Theaters
After a successful festival run, Heightened Scrutiny will begin playing in theaters this week in NYC, LA, and SF. The indie film world isn’t what it was when Sam and I first met; theatrical runs are harder to mount and less frequent. The best way to get Heightened Scrutiny to a theater near you is to support its first few stops and spread the word.
Here's how to see the film and support the campaign revealing how media narratives translate into legislation that harms trans lives.
Buy tickets to an upcoming screening for yourself or your people
NYC July 18 - 24 TIX @ DCTV
LA July 26 - 29 TIX @ Laemmle Theatres
SF July 31 & Aug 1 TIX @ ROXIE
Share theatrical dates on social (IG: @heightenedscrutiny)
Sign up for film updates: heightenedscrutinydoc.com
Reach out to host your own screening
If you are in NYC, check out this incredible line-up of special guests:
Will spread the word. This is so important.
Thank you. Yes and yes to all of this. Please see this film if you can.