While we consider the past year, a assortment of exceptional feature-length pieces stands out. These narratives explore intricate subjects from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
The Mysterious Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. While several of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the nation, he still move millions of books. This poses a key question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole route out of prison was to join the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers might still cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our species. But, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent bitter argument has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the disturbing scale of abuse it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Curious Record on Human Rights
Many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's dedication to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A film tracking a repentant con artist as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording poses complex questions: Is this person truly a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – it all. In their stickiest hours, people depend on him to bring back peace.
Will an Famous Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective medical solution – up until possibly now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the highest echelons of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen mind and impeccable background, it's understandable that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to get wary.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An extremely rich country has transformed into a key player on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented role?
An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain former American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the full story of the events remains partially contested.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed vast sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the reality that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his life could change for the better. I was tragically misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may hold the answers to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
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