While we look back on the year gone by, a selection of exceptional feature-length stories emerges. Such accounts probe complex themes ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the nineties with sharp commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the nation, he still sell millions of copies. It raises a pressing question: Has he turned into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole route to escape prison was to join the regime forces. After 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters may still get him killed.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as completely changing the history of our human race. But, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting heated controversy has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling breadth of abuse it had carried out.
A Leader's Curious Record on International Law
Many supporters expected that the prime minister would restore the the nation's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A film tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks thorny questions: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – everything. In their stickiest hours, people rely on him to restore order.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, difficult finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an reliable treatment end – up until possibly now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the very highest levels of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp mind and flawless background, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to get wary.
A Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly rich country has risen as a major player on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this unprecedented role?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense outrage. But the full truth of the procedures is still somewhat contested.
A "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could improve. I was sadly wrong.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may possess the key to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
