While we look back on the past year, a curated list of remarkable feature-length pieces emerges. These narratives probe intricate topics from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
A Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the 1990s with sharp commentaries on power. While several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the country, he still move millions of copies. It prompts a key query: Has he evolved into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole path out of incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may now get him killed.
The Bitter Argument Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the story of our human race. However, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting heated argument has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking scale of mistreatment it had committed.
The Leader's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
A great many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to international law. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A film following a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is she really a new person, and what are the director's own motives?
The Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their stickiest moments, people turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it repair its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an consistent medical solution – until potentially now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable background, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get suspicious.
A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key force on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to deal with a particular former US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the full truth of what happened is still somewhat unclear.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and showered huge sums of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the reality that their home may soon be submerged. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could change for the better. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he might hold the answers to who prevails in the global AI race.
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