Carbon: The Unauthorised Biography

Carbon: The Unauthorised Biography treats the element not as an abstract subject but as a narrator with a life story. The film opens by tracing carbon's origin inside exploding stars and follows its long, changing presence through Earth’s geology and biology. Rather than a lecture, it mixes first-person narration by Sarah Snook, on-camera scientists, animated sequences, and an orchestral soundtrack to make chemical history feel immediate. Episodes cover carbon's role in building cells, shaping rocks, fueling industry, and influencing climate, while the filmmakers contrast its creative power with its destructive potential. The documentary keeps the focus on big processes and clear visuals, so viewers can appreciate how one element threads through deep time to our present and future debates too.

Released in 2022, the documentary was directed by Niobe Thompson and Daniella Ortega, with Sarah Snook as the voice of Carbon. It combines interviews with scientists like Neil deGrasse Tyson and Mark Miodownik and original animations to visualize complex chemistry.

The film did not report wide commercial figures, and no major box office totals are widely cited. It primarily circulated through festivals, limited theatrical screenings, and digital platforms, where niche audiences interested in science and environmental topics were main viewers.

Though not a mainstream blockbuster, Carbon has been noted for reframing an element as a character, prompting conversations about how science storytelling can humanize complex topics. Its striking visuals and first-person approach have been widely picked up in articles and classroom discussions that probe climate, materials, and deep time perspectives.

Critics and viewers have given mixed to positive responses, reflected in a modest average rating from a small number of votes. Reviewers praised its blending of science expertise and artful animation, while some noted that its scope sometimes sacrifices depth, especially for audiences familiar with carbon-related science and policy debates.