Upon consider the previous year, a selection of exceptional feature-length pieces emerges. Such pieces explore complex themes including geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the nineties with scathing critiques on authoritarianism. Although many of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he still sell millions of copies. This prompts a pertinent query: Has he turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only route out of incarceration was to join the government military. Following 14 years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers may now cost him his life.
A Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically re-writing the story of our species. However, not everyone was convinced. The resulting bitter argument has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the appalling scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on International Law
Numerous followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the record over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises complex queries: Is this person truly reformed, and is the director's own intentions?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest hours, people rely on him to bring back peace.
Will an Iconic Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable treatment end – until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings shape the uppermost echelons of government.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp mind and flawless reputation, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they began to get wary.
A Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a key force on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the exact story of the procedures remains somewhat shrouded.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed vast sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the prospect that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The critical question is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Story of Childhood Destitution
As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his life might turn around. That hope was tragically misplaced.
A Global AI Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he might hold the secret to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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