While we look back on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable feature-length stories shines. These narratives probe multifaceted themes from political intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
A Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on authoritarianism. Although numerous of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell millions of books. This poses a key question: Has the author become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only way out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may still get him killed.
The Fierce Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely changing the narrative of our human race. However, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent heated argument has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking extent of abuse it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on International Law
Numerous supporters expected that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been notably mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is this person genuinely reformed, and what are the director's true methods?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their darkest times, families turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an effective treatment solution – until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the very highest echelons of government.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant mind and impeccable background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become uneasy.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly rich country has transformed into a significant actor on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are driving this ambitious role?
A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread shock. But the exact truth of what happened remains partially contested.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then thought his life could improve. I was sadly misplaced.
The International AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he may hold the key to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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