As we consider the past year, a assortment of outstanding feature-length stories emerges. Such accounts probe complex topics from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to move millions of copies. It raises a key question: Has he become an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape prison was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically rewriting the narrative of our human race. But, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent bitter argument has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
The British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the appalling extent of abuse it had carried out.
A Statesman's Curious Stance on International Law
A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's dedication to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been strikingly mixed.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A film following a repentant fraudster as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording poses thorny questions: Is this person truly changed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest moments, individuals rely on him to restore peace.
Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an consistent medical solution – until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the uppermost echelons of the state.
The British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp mind and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they started to become wary.
The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly wealthy country has become a major force on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a particular former US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of the procedures remains somewhat unclear.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in slime, two days underground – and distributed huge amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the possibility that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could improve. I was sadly wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may hold the answers to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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