While we look back on the previous year, a curated list of remarkable feature-length pieces shines. Such accounts probe multifaceted themes including political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. This poses a pressing query: Has he become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only route out of prison was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may now cost him his life.
The Fierce Argument Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as completely rewriting the history of our human race. Yet, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing heated controversy has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Curious Record on Human Rights
Numerous followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses complex queries: Is she really reformed, and is the director's true methods?
The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging times, families turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Iconic Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, strained funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment solution – until possibly now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the very highest echelons of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen mind and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that affluent clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become uneasy.
The Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a key force on the international scene, working to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up View at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the exact nature of what happened remains somewhat contested.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered vast sums of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the prospect that their islands may in the near future cease to exist. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his situation could change for the better. That hope was sadly misplaced.
A International AI Competition and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he may possess the answers to who wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
