While we consider the past year, a selection of outstanding feature-length stories emerges. These accounts explore complex themes from political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal journeys.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the nineties with sharp satires on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to move millions of copies. This poses a pertinent query: Has he evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only route out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. After fourteen long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as radically changing the narrative of our species. However, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting heated scholarly debate has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the appalling scale of abuse it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Curious Record on Human Rights
Numerous supporters anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's dedication to human rights. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A film following a repentant master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is this person really changed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest hours, people turn to him to bring back peace.
Can an Renowned Institution Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by restitution claims, difficult funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an reliable treatment solution – until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the highest levels of government.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's understandable that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get wary.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital
An extremely wealthy country has transformed into a major player on the international scene, working to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a particular former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Women
When details about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the full nature of what happened is still somewhat contested.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away vast amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the possibility that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his situation could improve. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
The Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might possess the answers to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
