As we consider the past year, a assortment of remarkable feature-length pieces shines. These pieces probe complex subjects ranging from political intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly personal stories.
The Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with sharp critiques on power. Whereas numerous of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. This poses a pertinent query: Has the author turned into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole way out of prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as radically re-writing the story of our human race. But, not everyone was convinced. The resulting bitter argument has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the appalling breadth of exploitation it had carried out.
A Statesman's Curious Record on International Law
Numerous followers anticipated that the prime minister would restore the UK's dedication to human rights. Yet, the performance over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A film following a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the director's own motives?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest hours, families depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an effective medical remedy – up until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings influence the uppermost echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen mind and sterling background, it's little wonder that wealthy clients trusted him with their assets. Then they started to get suspicious.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly rich country has risen as a key actor on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular former American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was widespread outrage. But the full nature of the events is still partially contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed vast sums of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the possibility that their islands may soon cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his situation could turn around. That hope was tragically mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may hold the key to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
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