While we look back on the past year, a selection of remarkable feature-length pieces emerges. These pieces delve into intricate themes ranging from political intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal journeys.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
An author became known in the 1990s with biting satires on autocratic rule. While several of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. It poses a pertinent question: Has the author turned into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape prison was to join the government military. Following 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now get him killed.
The Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as completely re-writing the story of our human race. However, a faction was persuaded. The ensuing bitter controversy has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
A great many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to human rights. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises thorny questions: Is this person really a new person, and what are the director's own intentions?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest moments, individuals turn to him to bring back order.
Can an Renowned Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective medical solution – until possibly now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings influence the very highest echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his sharp intellect and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to become wary.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An extremely rich country has become a significant force on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside View at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to deal with a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Major Development Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.
The Unethical 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the exact nature of the procedures is still partially unclear.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away huge sums of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply very clever clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the reality that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might change for the better. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might possess the answers to who wins the global technological rivalry.
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