As we reflect on the past year, a curated list of outstanding feature-length pieces stands out. These accounts probe complex themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human journeys.
The Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on autocratic rule. While numerous of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he still move millions of copies. It poses a pertinent query: Has he become an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only route to escape prison was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still cost him his life.
The Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as completely re-writing the history of our species. However, a faction was in agreement. The subsequent bitter controversy has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the shocking extent of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Leader's Curious Record on Human Rights
Many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A documentary featuring a remorseful con artist as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording poses difficult questions: Is she truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest moments, individuals depend on him to restore order.
Will an Iconic Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it restore its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an reliable medical remedy – until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
An British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant mind and impeccable reputation, it's no surprise that affluent clients trusted him with their assets. Until they began to become wary.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An extremely wealthy country has risen as a key force on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up View at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise story of what happened is still somewhat unclear.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered vast amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the prospect that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his situation could improve. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A International AI Race and a Key Move
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he might hold the key to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful stories
