While we consider the past year, a curated list of outstanding feature-length stories stands out. Such accounts delve into multifaceted subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to deeply human stories.
The Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author became known in the 1990s with biting satires on power. While many of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It poses a key query: Has he turned into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only path out of incarceration was to join the government forces. Following fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may still get him killed.
A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally changing the history of our species. Yet, a faction was convinced. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the shocking scale of abuse it had committed.
The Leader's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A documentary following a repentant fraudster as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks complex queries: Is she truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their most challenging times, individuals rely on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Renowned Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment remedy – up until potentially now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the uppermost levels of government.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp intellect and sterling background, it's understandable that wealthy clients trusted him with their assets. Then they began to get suspicious.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a key actor on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented role?
An Close-Up View at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the precise truth of the procedures is still partially shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation might change for the better. That hope was sadly mistaken.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could hold the key to who wins the global AI race.
The most impactful narratives
