While we consider the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding feature-length stories emerges. These pieces delve into intricate subjects ranging from political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with sharp critiques on authoritarianism. While many of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the country, he still sell millions of copies. This prompts a key query: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole way out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. After 14 years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might now cost him his life.
The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as radically re-writing the history of our human race. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent heated argument has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
The British Cult That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling scale of abuse it had carried out.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on International Law
Numerous voters hoped that the prime minister would renew the the nation's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the past year has been notably mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses complex questions: Is this person genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging hours, individuals depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Renowned Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent medical remedy – up until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the very highest echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen intellect and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that affluent clients entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to get suspicious.
The Small Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly rich country has transformed into a major force on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Development Organization: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the full truth of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and given away vast amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the reality that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his situation might improve. I was tragically mistaken.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may hold the key to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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