As we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable feature-length pieces stands out. Such accounts delve into multifaceted topics including political intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
A Mysterious Writer and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing critiques on power. Whereas several of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. It prompts a pertinent question: Has he become an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole route to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. After 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers might now get him killed.
The Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as radically changing the story of our species. But, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting intense argument has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the disturbing breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. Yet, the performance over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks difficult questions: Is this person genuinely reformed, and is the director's own methods?
The Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – everything. In their most challenging moments, people rely on him to bring back order.
Can an Iconic Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, difficult funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent treatment end – until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideology influence the very highest echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant mind and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they began to become uneasy.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An astonishingly wealthy country has become a major force on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented role?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular former American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread shock. But the full story of the events is still partially contested.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed huge amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the reality that their homeland may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his life might change for the better. That hope was tragically wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Key Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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