Upon consider the previous year, a selection of outstanding feature-length pieces stands out. These pieces explore multifaceted subjects from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply human sagas.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with sharp satires on autocratic rule. Although many of his literary peers have encountered censorship or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This poses a pertinent query: Has he become an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only way out of incarceration was to join the government forces. After 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now get him killed.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our species. But, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing heated scholarly debate has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the disturbing scale of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Leader's Curious Record on Human Rights
A great many voters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to human rights. But, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A documentary following a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises difficult questions: Is she truly a new person, and is the filmmaker's true motives?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their darkest times, people depend on him to restore peace.
Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an consistent treatment remedy – up until potentially now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas influence the highest echelons of the state.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become suspicious.
A Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly rich Gulf state has transformed into a significant actor on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was widespread shock. But the exact nature of the events remains partially contested.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed enormous amounts of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the prospect that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his situation could turn around. I was tragically mistaken.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the key to who prevails in the global AI race.
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