Upon reflect on the previous year, a selection of outstanding feature-length stories stands out. Such narratives delve into complex themes from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly human journeys.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing satires on power. Whereas many of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It raises a pertinent query: Has the author turned into an apologist for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only path out of prison was to join the government forces. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as completely re-writing the narrative of our species. However, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent heated argument has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the appalling scale of exploitation it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law
A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses complex queries: Is she genuinely changed, and is the director's true motives?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest hours, people rely on him to bring back order.
Can an Renowned Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable medical remedy – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings influence the uppermost echelons of the state.
The British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his keen intellect and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they began to get suspicious.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant actor on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. What are driving this ambitious role?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain former American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?
The End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the full story of the events remains somewhat unclear.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the reality that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The critical issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his life might change for the better. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A International AI Competition and a Key Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may possess the secret to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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