Upon look back on the year gone by, a curated list of exceptional feature-length pieces stands out. These narratives explore complex themes from political machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal stories.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Country
An author became known in the 1990s with sharp satires on power. Whereas numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. This prompts a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could still get him killed.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely changing the narrative of our species. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The resulting intense controversy has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
The British Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the shocking extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Curious Stance on International Law
Many followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's commitment to international law. But, the record over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A documentary following a repentant con artist as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is this person truly a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging moments, families depend on him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an reliable medical remedy – until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the uppermost levels of government.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling credentials, it's understandable that wealthy clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich country has risen as a major actor on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?
An Inside View at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their newborn baby?
An End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense shock. But the precise truth of the events remains somewhat unclear.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered huge amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation might improve. I was sadly mistaken.
The Global AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the answers to who wins the global technological rivalry.
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