As we look back on the previous year, a curated list of remarkable feature-length stories emerges. Such accounts explore intricate topics including political intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the nineties with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his literary peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he still move millions of copies. This prompts a pressing query: Has he become an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route to escape incarceration was to join the government military. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may still get him killed.
A Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally changing the story of our human race. But, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent bitter controversy has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had committed.
A Leader's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many followers expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to human rights. However, the performance over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks difficult queries: Is she truly changed, and is the filmmaker's true motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest moments, people turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Iconic Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective treatment solution – until potentially now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his teachings shape the highest levels of government.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant mind and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to get uneasy.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a major force on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented role?
An Close-Up View at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to manage a particular former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of the events remains partially shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the prospect that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his situation might change for the better. I was sadly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may hold the key to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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