While we reflect on the past year, a assortment of exceptional feature-length pieces stands out. Such pieces probe multifaceted subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal stories.
The Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on power. While numerous of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This raises a pressing question: Has he turned into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole path out of incarceration was to join the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as radically changing the story of our human race. But, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting heated scholarly debate has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking scale of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Curious Record on Human Rights
Numerous supporters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A film following a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording asks difficult queries: Is this person genuinely a new person, and what are the director's true methods?
A Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest moments, families rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Famous Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, difficult funding and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an consistent medical solution – until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings influence the highest echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become wary.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital
An extremely wealthy country has transformed into a significant force on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are driving this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside Look at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to handle a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread shock. But the precise nature of the events remains partially unclear.
A "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and given away enormous amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the reality that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The pressing question is: Where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could change for the better. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may possess the secret to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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