As we reflect on the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable feature-length pieces emerges. These pieces explore multifaceted themes including political intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing critiques on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he still move millions of copies. It raises a pertinent question: Has he become an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole path to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may now cost him his life.
A Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as radically rewriting the story of our species. But, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent intense controversy has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the appalling scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Numerous supporters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a remorseful con artist as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is she really reformed, and is the director's own motives?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – it all. In their stickiest hours, individuals depend on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent treatment end – until possibly now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas shape the very highest echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his keen mind and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a significant player on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious role?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the exact truth of the events is still somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered huge amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the possibility that their home may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his life could improve. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the answers to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
