While we consider the previous year, a curated list of remarkable feature-length stories stands out. These narratives explore complex subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Country
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. While numerous of his writer peers have faced censorship or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of books. This prompts a pertinent question: Has the author become an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following 14 years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically re-writing the history of our human race. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent bitter argument has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the shocking extent of abuse it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's commitment to international law. Yet, the performance over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A documentary following a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their stickiest moments, families rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an consistent treatment end – until potentially now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas permeate the uppermost echelons of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his keen intellect and impeccable background, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a major actor on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented role?
An Inside View at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was immense shock. But the precise story of what happened remains somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered vast amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the possibility that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his situation might change for the better. I was tragically wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he might possess the answers to which nation wins the global AI race.
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