Upon consider the previous year, a assortment of exceptional feature-length pieces emerges. Such pieces explore complex themes ranging from political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human stories.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with sharp satires on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It poses a pressing question: Has the author evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only way to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers could still get him killed.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Our Ancient Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as completely rewriting the history of our species. But, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent bitter argument has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
A great many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a remorseful con artist as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is she truly a new person, and is the director's true motives?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their darkest times, individuals rely on him to bring back peace.
Can an Iconic Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it restore its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an effective treatment end – up until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology permeate the highest levels of government.
The English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his keen intellect and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that affluent clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become suspicious.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a key force on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to handle a particular former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Study on Indian Women
When details about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was widespread shock. But the precise nature of the events is still partially shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed enormous sums of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the possibility that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his life might improve. I was devastatingly wrong.
The International AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he may possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
