While we reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding feature-length stories stands out. Such accounts delve into complex subjects including political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on authoritarianism. Although many of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It raises a key question: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as completely changing the narrative of our species. But, a faction was convinced. The subsequent intense argument has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the appalling breadth of exploitation it had committed.
The Statesman's Curious Record on International Law
Many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the director's own motives?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their darkest hours, people rely on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Iconic Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an consistent treatment end – up until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideas permeate the uppermost echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his sharp mind and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they started to get suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a key player on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented role?
An Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to handle a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of the events is still partially shrouded.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away vast amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the reality that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his situation could turn around. That hope was tragically misplaced.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he may possess the key to which nation wins the global AI race.
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