While we look back on the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable feature-length pieces emerges. Such narratives probe complex topics from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the nineties with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. This poses a pressing question: Has the author become an apologist for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole path out of incarceration was to join the regime military. After 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers could now get him killed.
The Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the history of our human race. But, a faction was persuaded. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing extent of abuse it had carried out.
The Leader's Puzzling Stance on International Law
A great many followers hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's dedication to human rights. But, the track record over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A film tracking a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest hours, families depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Famous Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an consistent medical end – until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the uppermost echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his keen mind and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get wary.
A Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a significant player on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented role?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to handle a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their newborn baby?
The End of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the precise truth of the events remains partially contested.
The "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and given away enormous sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the reality that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could change for the better. I was sadly misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he may possess the secret to who wins the global technological rivalry.
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