While we look back on the past year, a assortment of outstanding feature-length pieces stands out. Such narratives probe intricate subjects ranging from political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
The Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to move millions of copies. This prompts a key question: Has he turned into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole path out of incarceration was to join the government military. After 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically changing the narrative of our species. But, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing bitter controversy has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the shocking breadth of abuse it had committed.
A Leader's Curious Record on International Law
Many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to human rights. However, the performance over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A film following a repentant fraudster as she records unscrupulous individuals with covert recording poses difficult questions: Is she really a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – everything. In their most challenging times, people depend on him to bring back peace.
Can an Iconic Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an reliable treatment solution – up until possibly now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings influence the uppermost levels of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get wary.
A Small State That Became the Global Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a key actor on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
The Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was widespread shock. But the full story of what happened remains partially unclear.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and distributed huge amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the prospect that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Heartbreaking Story of Youth Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his life could change for the better. That hope was sadly wrong.
The Global AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may possess the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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