Upon consider the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable feature-length stories stands out. These accounts probe intricate subjects from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply human journeys.
A Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It poses a pressing query: Has the author become an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole way out of prison was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers might now get him killed.
A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the story of our human race. But, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent heated argument has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking scale of mistreatment it had committed.
The Leader's Unexpected Record on International Law
A great many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been strikingly mixed.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a remorseful fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises complex queries: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the director's own intentions?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – it all. In their stickiest moments, families depend on him to restore peace.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an effective treatment remedy – up until possibly now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings influence the very highest echelons of government.
An British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen intellect and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become suspicious.
A Small State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital
An incredibly rich Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented project?
An Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to deal with a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was immense outrage. But the exact story of the procedures remains somewhat contested.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and showered huge amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the reality that their islands may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent question is: Where are they going to go?
One Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his situation could improve. I was sadly misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might possess the answers to who wins the global AI race.
The finest narratives
