As we reflect on the past year, a curated list of remarkable feature-length stories shines. Such narratives explore intricate subjects ranging from political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human sagas.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp commentaries on power. Although many of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell millions of books. It prompts a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only path to escape prison was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers may still cost him his life.
A Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as completely changing the history of our species. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The ensuing heated scholarly debate has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the appalling scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on International Law
Numerous voters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A film tracking a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny questions: Is she truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging hours, individuals rely on him to restore peace.
Will an Famous Institution Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained funding and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective medical end – up until potentially now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his teachings shape the uppermost levels of government.
An British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp intellect and sterling background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a key force on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this ambitious project?
A Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the full story of the events is still somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the reality that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent question is: Where are they going to go?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his life could improve. I was tragically mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he might hold the answers to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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