Upon reflect on the past year, a selection of remarkable feature-length stories stands out. Such accounts explore intricate subjects including geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to deeply human journeys.
The Mysterious Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on power. Whereas several of his literary peers have faced censorship or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It prompts a key question: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole way out of prison was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers may still get him killed.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the story of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent heated argument has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling breadth of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Curious Stance on International Law
A great many supporters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording asks thorny questions: Is she really a new person, and what are the director's own motives?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest times, people depend on him to restore order.
Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an effective treatment end – until possibly now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideology shape the highest echelons of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his sharp intellect and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that affluent individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become wary.
A Tiny Nation That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a significant force on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this unprecedented role?
A Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain former US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was immense outrage. But the exact nature of the procedures is still partially contested.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their home may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his life might improve. That hope was tragically mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might hold the key to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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