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Upon look back on the year gone by, a assortment of exceptional feature-length stories emerges. Such narratives probe multifaceted subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal sagas.

The Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Nation

Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the nineties with scathing commentaries on power. While several of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. It prompts a pertinent question: Has he turned into an defender for the Kremlin?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War

The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only path to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. After 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers could now get him killed.

A Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings

The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as radically re-writing the narrative of our species. Yet, a faction was convinced. The subsequent bitter controversy has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.

The British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight

One woman was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the appalling extent of exploitation it had carried out.

A Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on Human Rights

A great many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's commitment to human rights. But, the track record over the past year has been notably mixed.

Shattering a Country's Self-Image

A film following a repentant con artist as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks difficult queries: Is she really reformed, and is the director's own methods?

A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Stains

From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest times, individuals turn to him to restore order.

Can an Renowned Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?

Beset by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its standing?

More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy

Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent medical remedy – up until potentially now.

The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics

A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the uppermost levels of the state.

An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret

With his sharp intellect and sterling reputation, it's understandable that affluent clients trusted him with their assets. Until they began to become uneasy.

The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub

An incredibly rich Gulf state has transformed into a major actor on the world stage, working to solve some of the most intractable disputes. What are driving this ambitious endeavor?

An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry

Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.

Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story

What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?

An End of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Mourning

When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.

A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women

When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense shock. But the full nature of what happened remains partially shrouded.

A "Mozart" of the Online Age

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered huge amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?

Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean

With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the reality that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to go?

A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution

When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his life might turn around. I was tragically mistaken.

The Global AI Race and a Pivotal Defection

In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he might hold the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.

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