Happy Summer Everyone! I suppose you're wondering what the hell SlowTV is? Don't worry, I thought the same when I first heard the term used last year. Well, it's a television genre covering ordinary events in their complete length - like a train journey. The term and idea is popular in Norway, and has become quiet popular here in Australia, thanks to the SBS. Last year, they aired the journey of The Ghan, the iconic train that travels from Adelaide to Darwin. This year, they've planned a whole 'Slow Summer', with a new journey every Sunday in January. And I'm completely mesmerized! Flashback to last year when SBS was promoting The Ghan: Australian's Greatest Train Journey, a condensed three-hour journey of The Ghan as it journeyed from Adelaide to Darwin, taking in the scenery along the way. I thought the concept was weird - who would want to spend three hours watching scenery go by? Then, on top of that, they also aired a 17-hour version. Again, who'd want to watch that? Safe to say I didn't tune into this weird TV phenomenom. But boy, do I wish I had now. Which brings me to last Sunday when SBS aired The Indian Pacific: Australia's Longest Train Journey. I'd seen the promos, which were somewhat intriguing, so when my dad came into the lounge room, telling me to change the TV to the SBS, I was surprised he'd want to watch. He likes train journey documentaries, but moreso the likes of Great British Railway Journeys, where you get to learn about the train, the line and the history, all in like half an hour. The Indian Pacific was not the train doco he was expecting to see. "Are you really going to sit here for three hours watching this?" I asked, knowing full-well he would probably last twenty minutes and be off to bed. He had only lasted ten minutes with The Ghan. Having not tuned into The Ghan, I hadn't known what to expect with The Indian Pacific, and I was actually quiet excited to give the journey a chance. Dad, on the other hand, was finding the whole the a little boring, and that was just the first ten minutes. Luckily, my mum had come in and was interested in the concept of The Indian Pacific, so managed to convince him to give it a chance. I was still sure he'd bail out before the first hour though. He lasted all three. I was totally mesmerized by the condensed three-hour journey, getting to see the Australian outback in such an interesting way, and learning a little about the history of the regions the train passed, particularly the Indigenous history. As well as that, it's just so soothing and relaxing, watching the scenery go by and listening to the sound of the train clicking along the track. The shots are absolutely stunning. You're not just stuck on the front of the train, condemned to watch the whole thing as if you're the train driver (although that's not terrible). There's shots from all sides of the train, shots from the side of the track as the train passes by, even shots from on the track itself as the train passes right over the camera. Then there are the aerial shots as the train snakes it's way through the landscape. Plus, there are a few shots dotted about of things inside the train - passengers watching the world go by, the dining cart, the kitchen, the train drivers, the train manager - giving you a good look at all that this journey has to offer. You really gain a new appreciation of just how breathtaking the Australian landscape is. On top of the three-hour journey on a Sunday night, SBS are also airing the long version of each journey, totally 17-hours and starting at 2am on a Saturday morning. That's right, if the three-hour journey was a little too fast, the 17-hour journey is there for people who want to slow down a little bit more. And yes, I tuned in. Not from 2am (because hello, sleep), but I still watched a good chunk of the journey. And it was bloody good! On a 41 degrees Celsius day, there's nothing better than relaxing in front of the tellie watching a train trek across Australia. Just look at how beautifully shot the whole thing is: Last night, SBS aired the second installment in their 'Slow Summer' series with The Kimberley Cruise: Australia's Last Great Wilderness, which followed the boat journey from Broome to Darwin. The journey, which takes 10 days, sails along a breathtaking wilderness, with little day trips taking passengers into rivers, getting up close with the gorgeous geology and wildlife. It. Was. STUNNING. Absolutely beautiful. And peaceful. Calming. And I will be watching as much of the 17-hour journey as I possibly can. As soon as the episode started, I was already feeling so much more relaxed, just with the power of slow television. Again, it was beautifully shot, just take a look at these screenshots for proof: There's still two more journeys to go - All Aboard! The Canal Trip (a barge traveling Britain's Kent and Avon Canal) and North To South (from Auckland down to the south of New Zealand by way of railway, sailing and driving) over the next two Sundays. PLUS, there's an encore of the 17-hour version of The Ghan on Australia Day. And you can bet your behind that I'm going to be watching it all (although, maybe not the entirety of each 17-hour journey, but I'm definitely going to try, because who needs sleep at 2am?). Who knew I'd be excited about a three-hour train journey/boat cruise on TV? As weird as the concept of SlowTV sounds, it's so intriguing and mesmerizing. It's weird how something that can be a tad boring can suck you in and make you not want to change the channel. Like, I don't want to miss a second of this journey, so I can't switch it off. It's hypnotic, therapeutic and mesmerizing. And it's such a fantastic way to see the world. In particular, The Ghan, The Indian Pacific and The Kimberley Cruise are an amazing way to see the beauty in our own backyard. It's be the best advertisement for these journeys and our country. Seriously, if you've not seen any SlowTV, you really need to. If you're in Australia, definitely check out the SBS's 'Slow Summer' series, which you can find on SBSOnDemand (plus, The Ghan is on YouTube). There's also a Norwegian boat journey on SBSOnDemand, as well as more Norwegian SlowTV on Netflix. Just give this weird marathon concept a chance, because you'd be surprised at how much you enjoy it, even if you think it's boring. You'll be totally sucked into the journey. Bring on more SlowTV! Seriously, SBS you need a whole channel dedicated to this fantastic genre. BRB while I book an Indian Pacific holiday... See You Soon Victoria :) |
Categories
All
Affiliates
See DISCLAIMER.
|