Upon look back on the past year, a selection of outstanding feature-length pieces emerges. Such accounts delve into multifaceted themes ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
The Enigmatic Author and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the nineties with scathing satires on power. Whereas several of his literary peers have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It prompts a key query: Has he become an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only way to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as completely rewriting the story of our human race. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent heated argument has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Cult That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the disturbing breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Unexpected Record on International Law
Many voters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary following a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is this person truly reformed, and is the director's true motives?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest moments, people rely on him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an effective treatment remedy – until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideas permeate the uppermost echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen intellect and flawless credentials, it's understandable that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become wary.
A Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Hub
An incredibly rich country has transformed into a key force on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented role?
An Inside View at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the precise nature of the events is still somewhat shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his situation could turn around. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could hold the key to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
