While we look back on the past year, a curated list of remarkable feature-length pieces stands out. Such pieces probe multifaceted themes including geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing critiques on power. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. This raises a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only route to escape incarceration was to join the government forces. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still cost him his life.
A Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the history of our species. But, a faction was convinced. The ensuing heated argument has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the disturbing extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients with covert recording poses thorny questions: Is she genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest times, people depend on him to bring back order.
Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent medical solution – up until possibly now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas influence the very highest levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his keen intellect and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that affluent clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to get suspicious.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich country has transformed into a significant force on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was not unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was immense outrage. But the precise nature of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The pressing issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation could improve. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The Global AI Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he might possess the key to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful journalism
