As we look back on the past year, a selection of remarkable feature-length stories shines. Such pieces explore multifaceted topics from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
A Mysterious Author and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with scathing critiques on autocratic rule. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he still sell millions of copies. This poses a key question: Has he become an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only route out of incarceration was to join the government forces. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still get him killed.
The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as radically re-writing the history of our species. However, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Leader's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Many supporters expected that the prime minister would renew the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A film following a remorseful master criminal as she sets up corrupt individuals with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is she genuinely changed, and is the director's own methods?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest hours, individuals turn to him to bring back peace.
Can an Renowned Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme 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 effective medical solution – up until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings influence the highest echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant intellect and flawless reputation, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get wary.
A Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Hub
An incredibly rich Gulf state has transformed into a key actor on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a particular former American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn infant?
The End of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the full truth of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.
A "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the possibility that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his situation could change for the better. I was tragically misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might possess the answers to who prevails in the global AI race.
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