While we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of exceptional feature-length pieces stands out. These accounts explore multifaceted subjects from political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Country
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he still sell millions of copies. It prompts a pressing question: Has the author turned into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole way out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as radically changing the narrative of our species. But, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the performance over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is she truly a new person, and what are the director's true intentions?
A Person Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – it all. In their most challenging moments, individuals depend on him to restore peace.
Can an Famous Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an effective treatment end – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas shape the uppermost levels of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp intellect and sterling background, it's understandable that wealthy individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get uneasy.
The Small Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a major actor on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to deal with a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was immense shock. But the full nature of the events remains partially unclear.
The "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and showered enormous sums of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical question is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his life could turn around. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
The International AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might hold the key to which nation wins the global AI race.
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