While we look back on the past year, a selection of outstanding feature-length stories shines. Such narratives probe multifaceted themes including geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human stories.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he still move millions of books. It raises a key question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape prison was to join the regime military. Following 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as completely changing the history of our species. However, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing bitter argument has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the appalling scale of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
A great many voters expected that the prime minister would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the track record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A film following a repentant con artist as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses complex queries: Is this person really a new person, and is the director's true methods?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging times, families rely on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Renowned Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an effective treatment remedy – until possibly now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas influence the very highest levels of the state.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen intellect and flawless reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to get uneasy.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has become a major force on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to handle a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the precise story of the procedures remains partially unclear.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered enormous sums of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the reality that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might change for the better. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
The International AI Competition and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might hold the key to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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