Upon look back on the past year, a curated list of outstanding feature-length stories shines. Such narratives delve into multifaceted topics from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal journeys.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing commentaries on power. While many of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the country, he continues to move millions of books. It raises a pressing query: Has he evolved into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole path out of prison was to join the regime military. Following 14 years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers may now get him killed.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally changing the story of our species. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent bitter argument has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling scale of exploitation it had carried out.
A Statesman's Curious Stance on International Law
A great many voters hoped that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A documentary featuring a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is this person really changed, and is the director's own motives?
The Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest hours, people depend on him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable treatment remedy – up until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp mind and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that affluent clients trusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become uneasy.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has become a significant player on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?
A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the exact story of the procedures is still partially unclear.
A "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the possibility that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life could change for the better. I was sadly wrong.
A Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may possess the answers to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The best journalism
