While we look back on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable feature-length pieces stands out. Such narratives explore complex topics ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
A Puzzling Author and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with biting satires on authoritarianism. While several of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he still move millions of books. This prompts a key query: Has the author turned into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. After fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely rewriting the narrative of our species. However, some scholars was convinced. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on International Law
Numerous followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is this person genuinely reformed, and is the director's true intentions?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging moments, individuals rely on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable treatment remedy – until possibly now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas influence the uppermost echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp mind and impeccable background, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get uneasy.
The Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a significant force on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to handle a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
The End of a Major Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
The Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread shock. But the full truth of the events is still partially unclear.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the possibility that their islands may soon be submerged. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his life might change for the better. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could possess the key to who wins the worldwide AI race.
The finest narratives
