While we reflect on the previous year, a selection of exceptional feature-length pieces stands out. Such pieces probe intricate topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply human sagas.
The Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the 1990s with sharp critiques on power. Although several of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he still sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pertinent question: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole way to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now cost him his life.
A Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our human race. However, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the shocking extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many voters anticipated that the prime minister would renew the the nation's dedication to international law. But, the track record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording poses thorny questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest moments, families turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an effective medical end – until potentially now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas shape the uppermost levels of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp intellect and sterling background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become uneasy.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Hub
An extremely wealthy country has transformed into a major force on the international scene, working to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this ambitious role?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the exact truth of what happened is still somewhat unclear.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the prospect that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Destitution
When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his life might improve. That hope was sadly misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might possess the key to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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