While we reflect on the year gone by, a assortment of exceptional feature-length pieces emerges. Such pieces delve into complex subjects ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly human journeys.
A Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. Although several of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. It raises a key question: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only way to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as completely re-writing the story of our species. However, not everyone was convinced. The resulting heated controversy has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
The British 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 helped reveal the disturbing scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Curious Stance on International Law
Many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording asks difficult queries: Is this person truly changed, and what are the director's true motives?
A Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their stickiest times, families turn to him to restore peace.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an consistent treatment solution – until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideology permeate the uppermost echelons of government.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp mind and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Hub
An extremely rich Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
The End of a Major Development Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the exact nature of the procedures remains partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and given away huge amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the reality that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his life might change for the better. That hope was sadly misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could possess the secret to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
