As we consider the previous year, a selection of outstanding feature-length stories shines. These accounts delve into complex topics including political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
The Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Country
An author rose to fame in the 1990s with biting satires on power. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of books. It raises a key query: Has he become an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still get him killed.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the history of our species. But, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
The British Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Curious Record on International Law
Many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises thorny queries: Is she truly a new person, and is the filmmaker's true motives?
A Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging times, individuals rely on him to bring back peace.
Can an Iconic Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by restitution claims, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent treatment remedy – up until possibly now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas influence the very highest echelons of the state.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his keen intellect and impeccable credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to get suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a key player on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?
An End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact truth of the procedures remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed huge sums of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the reality that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation could improve. I was devastatingly wrong.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may hold the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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