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While we reflect on the previous year, a selection of exceptional feature-length pieces stands out. Such narratives delve into intricate themes from political intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal stories.

A Puzzling Author and the Soul of a Country

A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his literary peers have faced censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. This raises a pertinent question: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the establishment?

Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict

The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only route out of incarceration was to join the regime military. After 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers could still get him killed.

A Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings

The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our human race. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The ensuing bitter controversy has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.

A British Cult That Hid in the Open

One woman was only a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking extent of mistreatment it had carried out.

A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on International Law

Numerous voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.

Shattering a Country's Identity

A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises complex questions: Is this person really a new person, and what are the director's own motives?

The Man Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Scenes

From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their most challenging times, individuals depend on him to restore order.

Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?

Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy

Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective treatment solution – up until potentially now.

A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics

A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas influence the highest levels of the state.

The English Professional With a Dishonest Side

With his keen intellect and impeccable credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy clients trusted him with their assets. Until they started to get suspicious.

A Small Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Center

An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a major actor on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented role?

An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle

Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a certain former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.

Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story

What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?

The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning

When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.

The Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Women

When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the precise nature of the procedures remains partially contested.

The "Master" of the Attention Economy

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?

Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas

With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they going to go?

One Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness

When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his situation might turn around. That hope was sadly wrong.

The International AI Race and a Pivotal Move

In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he could hold the key to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.

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