Upon look back on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding feature-length pieces emerges. Such accounts delve into multifaceted subjects from political machinations and historical revelations to deeply personal sagas.
The Mysterious Writer and the Conscience of a Country
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with scathing commentaries on power. Although numerous of his writer peers have encountered censorship or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pressing question: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only way out of prison was to join the government forces. After 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers might now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as completely re-writing the story of our human race. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling breadth of abuse it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been strikingly mixed.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A film tracking a repentant con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is this person genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – everything. In their most challenging times, individuals rely on him to bring back order.
Can an Renowned Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent medical end – up until possibly now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas influence the highest echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp mind and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become uneasy.
A Small State That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An incredibly rich Gulf state has become a key force on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Global Development Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of the events is still partially contested.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and given away enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the possibility that their islands may soon cease to exist. The critical question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his situation might change for the better. That hope was sadly wrong.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he might possess the key to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
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