As we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of remarkable feature-length pieces stands out. These pieces delve into complex topics ranging from political machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
The Mysterious Author and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on power. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the nation, he still sell vast numbers of books. It raises a pertinent question: Has he become an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only route out of incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still cost him his life.
The Fierce Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally changing the story of our species. However, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent intense controversy has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
The British Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the shocking extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Curious Record on Human Rights
A great many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is she genuinely changed, and what are the director's own intentions?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging moments, people turn to him to restore normalcy.
Can an Famous Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable treatment remedy – until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology influence the uppermost echelons of the state.
The British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get suspicious.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a key force on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented project?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to handle a certain former American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unforeseen.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense shock. But the precise story of the procedures remains partially shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and given away enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the reality that their home may soon cease to exist. The urgent question is: To where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his situation might change for the better. I was sadly misplaced.
The International AI Competition and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he may possess the answers to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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