While we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable feature-length stories emerges. Such pieces explore intricate themes including political machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply personal stories.
The Enigmatic Author and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on power. Although many of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he continues to move millions of books. This prompts a pertinent query: Has he evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole path to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers may now get him killed.
The Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically rewriting the history of our species. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent heated argument has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the appalling breadth of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Numerous followers anticipated that the prime minister would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A film following a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt clients with covert recording poses complex questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the director's true intentions?
A Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging hours, individuals turn to him to restore peace.
Can an Famous Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent medical solution – up until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the very highest echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant intellect and flawless reputation, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get uneasy.
A Small State That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich country has become a major player on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious project?
A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a particular former American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Aid Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact story of the procedures is still somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed vast amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still hoped his life might improve. I was tragically mistaken.
A Global AI Race and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might hold the key to who prevails in the global AI race.
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