While we reflect on the past year, a selection of outstanding feature-length stories shines. These pieces probe complex subjects from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human sagas.
The Mysterious Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with biting commentaries on power. While many of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the nation, he still move vast numbers of books. It poses a key question: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole path out of prison was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as radically rewriting the story of our human race. Yet, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting bitter controversy has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
A British Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Curious Record on Human Rights
A great many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. But, the record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is she really reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
A Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest moments, families rely on him to restore order.
Can an Renowned Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an effective treatment end – until potentially now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the very highest levels of government.
The British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp mind and flawless reputation, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become uneasy.
The Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An extremely rich Gulf state has risen as a significant force on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious project?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat 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 Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the exact story of the procedures remains somewhat unclear.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed vast sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the reality that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his life could change for the better. That hope was sadly wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he may hold the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful stories
