While we look back on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable feature-length pieces shines. These narratives delve into complex subjects ranging from political intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human stories.
The Mysterious Author and the Soul of a Nation
An author became known in the 1990s with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell millions of books. This raises a pressing question: Has the author turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only route out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. After 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Our Ancient Origins
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically re-writing the narrative of our species. Yet, a faction was convinced. The ensuing bitter argument has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking breadth of abuse it had committed.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Numerous supporters hoped that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a remorseful con artist as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks complex queries: Is she really changed, and is the director's true intentions?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging hours, people turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Renowned Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable treatment solution – up until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the highest echelons of government.
An English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp intellect and impeccable background, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they started to become uneasy.
The Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a major force on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to handle a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
The Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense outrage. But the exact story of what happened remains somewhat shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, two days underground – and given away huge sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the prospect that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his situation might turn around. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
A Global AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may possess the answers to who prevails in the global AI race.
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