Upon look back on the past year, a assortment of remarkable feature-length pieces emerges. These accounts explore multifaceted subjects ranging from political intrigue and historical revelations to deeply human stories.
A Mysterious Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the 1990s with sharp critiques on authoritarianism. Although several of his writer peers have encountered censorship or left the country, he continues to sell millions of copies. It raises a pressing question: Has he turned into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only path to escape prison was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might still put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as radically changing the narrative of our species. However, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent intense controversy has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the appalling breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's dedication to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording poses thorny queries: Is this person truly a new person, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – everything. In their stickiest hours, families rely on him to bring back peace.
Can an Renowned Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective treatment end – up until potentially now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings influence the highest echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that wealthy clients trusted him with their assets. Then they started to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich country has transformed into a major actor on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a certain former US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the full story of what happened is still partially unclear.
A "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered enormous sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the reality that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his situation could improve. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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