As we look back on the past year, a assortment of exceptional feature-length stories emerges. Such accounts explore complex themes including political machinations and historical revelations to deeply personal sagas.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the nineties with scathing critiques on autocratic rule. While many of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It poses a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole route to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. Following 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as completely changing the narrative of our human race. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The resulting bitter controversy has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the appalling scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law
A great many followers anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny questions: Is this person truly reformed, and is the director's true intentions?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their stickiest moments, people turn to him to bring back order.
Can an Renowned Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, strained funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it restore its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective medical end – up until potentially now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his teachings shape the very highest levels of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant intellect and sterling reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a major actor on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
The End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the full nature of what happened is still partially unclear.
A "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered vast amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the reality that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The urgent question is: To where are they going to go?
One Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his situation might turn around. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he may possess the answers to who wins the worldwide AI race.
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