Upon reflect on the past year, a curated list of exceptional feature-length stories shines. Such accounts explore complex subjects from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly human sagas.
A Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the 1990s with sharp satires on autocratic rule. Although many of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It poses a pressing query: Has he become an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path out of prison was to join the government forces. After fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our human race. However, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting heated scholarly debate has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the shocking scale of exploitation it had carried out.
The Statesman's Curious Record on International Law
Numerous followers hoped that the prime minister would restore the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A film tracking a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises complex queries: Is this person really changed, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest hours, families depend on him to bring back order.
Can an Iconic Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an reliable medical solution – until possibly now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology shape the very highest echelons of government.
The British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his keen intellect and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become suspicious.
A Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a key actor on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up View at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was immense outrage. But the precise story of what happened is still somewhat unclear.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the possibility that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his situation might change for the better. That hope was tragically wrong.
The Global AI Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he may hold the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
