While we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of exceptional feature-length pieces stands out. These pieces explore intricate themes ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly human stories.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Country
An author became known in the 1990s with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This poses a pertinent question: Has the author turned into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his only path to escape prison was to join the regime military. After fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our species. However, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent intense scholarly debate has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking scale of abuse it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Numerous voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Self-Image
A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest times, individuals depend on him to bring back order.
Will an Renowned Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an reliable medical end – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the highest levels of the state.
An English Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant mind and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they began to become wary.
A Tiny State That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An extremely rich country has risen as a major actor on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?
An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Widespread 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 latest disappointment was not unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the full nature of the procedures is still somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered huge sums of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the prospect that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his life might improve. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
A Global AI Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he could possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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