Upon consider the past year, a assortment of exceptional feature-length pieces stands out. These pieces delve into intricate themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human stories.
The Puzzling Author and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with biting satires on power. Whereas several of his writer peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he still move millions of copies. This poses a pressing query: Has the author become an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole way out of incarceration was to join the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as radically rewriting the narrative of our species. However, a faction was convinced. The subsequent bitter controversy has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Many voters anticipated that the prime minister would renew the UK's dedication to human rights. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A documentary featuring a remorseful fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult queries: Is this person really a new person, and what are the director's own motives?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – everything. In their darkest hours, individuals rely on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Iconic Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious finances and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an effective medical remedy – up until possibly now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the uppermost levels of government.
The English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant intellect and sterling background, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become suspicious.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An extremely rich country has transformed into a key actor on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to handle a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense shock. But the precise story of the procedures remains partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed huge amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the reality that their homeland may soon be submerged. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his situation could change for the better. I was devastatingly misplaced.
The International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may hold the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful stories
