Upon look back on the year gone by, a curated list of exceptional feature-length pieces emerges. Such accounts explore complex topics from political machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal sagas.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the post-Soviet era with sharp critiques on authoritarianism. Although several of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the nation, he still move vast numbers of books. It prompts a key query: Has he become an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. Following fourteen years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now get him killed.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our species. Yet, a faction was convinced. The resulting intense argument has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. However, the performance over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary following a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses difficult queries: Is this person really a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest moments, people rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Iconic Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical solution – up until possibly now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas permeate the very highest echelons of government.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get wary.
A Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly rich country has risen as a key player on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented role?
An Inside View at a President Preparing for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
The End of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the precise story of the events remains partially contested.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away enormous sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of artistic genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the prospect that their home may in the near future be submerged. The urgent question is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his life could change for the better. That hope was sadly misplaced.
A Global AI Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he could possess the secret to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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