As we consider the year gone by, a curated list of exceptional feature-length stories shines. Such accounts probe intricate topics including geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
A Enigmatic Author and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the nineties with sharp commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he still move millions of books. It poses a pressing query: Has he become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still get him killed.
A Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the history of our species. However, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A film following a repentant con artist as she records unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks difficult questions: Is she truly changed, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging moments, individuals depend on him to bring back peace.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an reliable treatment end – up until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas influence the very highest echelons of government.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant intellect and flawless background, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to get suspicious.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a key force on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented role?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to deal with a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unforeseen.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of what happened remains somewhat unclear.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and given away enormous sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the possibility that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The critical issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his life could turn around. I was sadly wrong.
The Global AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the secret to who prevails in the global AI race.
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