While we look back on the past year, a assortment of exceptional feature-length stories stands out. Such accounts explore intricate topics ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to deeply human journeys.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. While many of his literary peers have encountered suppression or fled the country, he still move vast numbers of books. This raises a pressing query: Has he evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might now cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as radically changing the story of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting intense scholarly debate has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Curious Stance on International Law
A great many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to human rights. But, the track record over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is she genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest times, people depend on him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable medical remedy – up until possibly now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideas influence the very highest echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp mind and impeccable credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to get uneasy.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a major actor on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a certain former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread outrage. But the precise nature of the events remains somewhat unclear.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered enormous amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the reality that their home may soon be submerged. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Heartbreaking Story of Youth Destitution
As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his life might turn around. I was sadly misplaced.
The International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he could possess the key to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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