Carbon: The Unauthorised Biography
With Carbon in the news every day, you might think you know everything about her. But you’d be wrong. This spectacular and surprisingly unorthodox documentary reveals the paradoxical story of the element that builds all life, and yet may end it all. Narrated in first person by Sarah Snook (Succession), Carbon tells of her birth in the violent core of an exploding star and of turbulent sagas through the fabric of our evolving Earth. Accompanied by celebrated scientists, unique animations and a stunning orchestral score, Carbon reminds us of our humble participation in the most extraordinary story in the universe.
Acclaim
“‘Carbon’ is a documentary that shows both the power and the glory of carbon. In the right amount and the right place, it's essential: we can't live without it. But when we have too much of it in the wrong place, that's when things go wrong.” - Prof. Katharine Hayhoe, Climate Scientist, Chief Scientist at The Nature Conservancy, UN Champion of the Earth
“Congratulations to the team behind Carbon – The Unauthorised Biography for creating such an engaging and significant film. The novel approach used to research, collaborate on and produce the film is inspiring. No small achievement!” - Dr. Cathy Foley, Australia’s Chief Scientist
“★★★★ A sobering, instructive, at times amusing, at times chilling, film. I would like to think that it will be widely seen.” - David Stratton, The Australian
“A climate crisis doc that’s, um, fun?” - Jim Slotek, Original CIN
“A film that’s truly special… gorgeous and wondrous” - Marc Glassman, POV Magazine
“I implore you to see this film! A story by carbon and about carbon. And about all the beauty in our world and everything we stand to lose if we can’t learn to live with carbon.” - A/Prof. Jenny Martin, University of Melbourne
Carbon - The Unauthorised Biography is a co-production of Genepool Productions and Handful of Films for the ABC, CBC and ARTE. Principal production investment from Screen Australia and the Canadian Media Fund, in association with Film Victoria, Creative BC, and the Rogers Documentary Fund.
Developed with assistance from Film Victoria and the Shark Island Institute.
Writer: Daniella Ortega
Directors: Daniella Ortega & Niobe Thompson Producers: Sonya Pemberton, Niobe Thompson & Lucy Maclaren
Executive Producers: Sonya Pemberton, Niobe Thompson & Ari Harrison
DOPs: Sherwin Akbarzadeh & Athan Merrick
Editor: Andrew Arestides
Composer: Jonathan Kawchuk
Animation and Art Director: Bruce Alcock (Global Mechanic)
WHERE TO WATCH
There are now several ways to access Carbon: The Unauthorised Biography in Australia and New Zealand.
If you missed CARBON on ABC TV + iview, the film can be rented or purchased here:
The film is also streaming on all major Education platforms including ClickView, Enhance TV, Beamafilm Streaming, @The Education Shop (ATOM Victoria) and Kanopy.
CANADA- available to view on CBC Gem
FRANCE & GERMANY - available to stream on ARTE
Thank you for watching.
FESTIVALS
AFO Festival Olomuc (Czech Republic) April 26-May 1
CinefestOZ Albany (Australia) April 28-May 1
Screenwave International Film Festival (Australia) May 4
Doclands Festival (USA) May 5-11
If you live in any other state or territory and would like to see the film come to your region, we would highly encourage you to email our international distributor, TVF, to highlight your interest in the film. You can email them at sales@tvf.co.uk