While we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding feature-length stories shines. These accounts probe multifaceted subjects from political intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply human stories.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. Although many of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It poses a pressing query: Has he evolved into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only way out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. After fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Feud Over Our Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically rewriting the history of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing heated scholarly debate has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the appalling breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Curious Record on Human Rights
Many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's dedication to human rights. But, the performance over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a repentant con artist as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises difficult questions: Is this person truly a new person, and what are the director's true motives?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their most challenging hours, individuals rely on him to restore order.
Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable treatment remedy – up until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas shape the very highest levels of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant mind and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become wary.
A Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has become a key player on the world stage, working to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain former US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
An End of a Major Development Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the full truth of the events remains partially unclear.
A "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the prospect that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his situation might improve. I was tragically wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he could hold the answers to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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