As we reflect on the past year, a curated list of outstanding feature-length pieces shines. These narratives delve into multifaceted themes ranging from political intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal journeys.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Country
An author rose to fame in the nineties with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. Although many of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he continues to sell millions of copies. It poses a pressing question: Has he turned into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his only route to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still get him killed.
A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the history of our species. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent bitter argument has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the disturbing extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Puzzling Stance on International Law
A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful con artist as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording asks complex queries: Is this person truly a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own motives?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest hours, families depend on him to bring back order.
Can an Renowned Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable treatment end – until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the highest echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his keen mind and sterling background, it's little wonder that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become uneasy.
The Small State That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a key actor on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact nature of the procedures is still partially unclear.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered enormous amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the possibility that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation might turn around. That hope was tragically misplaced.
The Global AI Race and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he might possess the answers to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
