While we look back on the previous year, a selection of exceptional feature-length pieces stands out. Such narratives probe intricate themes from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing critiques on power. Although several of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It prompts a pertinent question: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape incarceration was to join the government forces. Following 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the history of our species. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The resulting bitter controversy has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the appalling breadth of abuse it had committed.
The Statesman's Curious Stance on Human Rights
A great many voters anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the track record over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A film tracking a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is this person genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
The Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging moments, families rely on him to restore peace.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by restitution claims, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an consistent medical end – until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and impeccable background, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get suspicious.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich country has become a major actor on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are driving this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was immense outrage. But the full nature of the events is still somewhat shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away huge sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the possibility that their home may soon cease to exist. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his life might turn around. I was devastatingly misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he might possess the answers to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
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