While we reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable feature-length stories stands out. Such pieces explore complex themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human stories.
The Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the nation, he still move vast numbers of copies. This poses a pertinent question: Has the author turned into an supporter for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only way to escape prison was to join the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as completely changing the narrative of our human race. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the disturbing breadth of abuse it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to international law. However, the performance over the past year has been notably mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A documentary following a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is this person really a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – everything. In their darkest moments, individuals turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Iconic Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an reliable medical solution – until potentially now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the very highest echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant mind and sterling background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich country has risen as a significant force on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious role?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unforeseen.
The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact nature of the events is still somewhat shrouded.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the possibility that their home may in the near future be submerged. The urgent question is: To where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his life could change for the better. I was devastatingly mistaken.
The International AI Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could possess the secret to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
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