As we reflect on the past year, a curated list of outstanding feature-length pieces shines. These accounts explore multifaceted themes from political machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
A Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. This raises a pertinent question: Has the author turned into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole route out of prison was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically changing the story of our human race. But, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent heated argument has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Numerous followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary following a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is she really a new person, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – it all. In their darkest moments, families turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Iconic Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent medical remedy – up until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant intellect and sterling background, it's no surprise that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become uneasy.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly wealthy country has become a key actor on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most complex disputes. What are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular former American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense outrage. But the precise nature of the events remains somewhat contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or works of artistic genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his life might turn around. I was tragically mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the secret to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
