As we look back on the year gone by, a selection of outstanding feature-length pieces shines. These pieces delve into multifaceted themes including geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal journeys.
A Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on power. Although several of his writer peers have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he still move vast numbers of copies. This prompts a pertinent question: Has he turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only route out of prison was to join the government forces. Following fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the history of our human race. But, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing intense scholarly debate has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking extent of abuse it had carried out.
The Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Numerous supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a remorseful fraudster as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording asks difficult questions: Is this person truly a new person, and is the director's own methods?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest hours, individuals turn to him to bring back peace.
Will an Renowned Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent treatment solution – up until potentially now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideology shape the highest echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his keen mind and impeccable reputation, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they started to become wary.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub
An incredibly rich country has become a significant player on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the precise story of the procedures remains somewhat shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the prospect that their islands may soon cease to exist. The pressing question is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his life could improve. I was devastatingly misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may hold the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
