As we look back on the past year, a curated list of outstanding feature-length stories emerges. Such accounts probe complex themes from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human journeys.
A Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with sharp satires on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his literary peers have faced censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. It prompts a pressing question: Has the author become an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers might now get him killed.
The Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our human race. However, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting bitter argument has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking extent of abuse it had carried out.
The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
A great many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been strikingly mixed.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A film tracking a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is this person truly changed, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging moments, individuals turn to him to bring back peace.
Will an Renowned Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an consistent medical remedy – up until possibly now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the very highest echelons of the state.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp intellect and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become wary.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An incredibly rich country has risen as a key force on the international scene, working to solve some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside View at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to handle a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the exact nature of what happened remains partially shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered enormous amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the reality that their islands may in the near future cease to exist. The critical question is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his situation might turn around. I was tragically mistaken.
The Global AI Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he might possess the secret to which nation wins the global AI race.
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