East to West
by Jason Rodi with music by ANTENNAE
To mark the 70th anniversary of The Canadian, VIA Rail’s legendary cross-country route, I set out on a journey I had dreamt of for years. From the heart of Montreal to the wide open of Vancouver, aboard a train that is itself a national icon, this series is a slow, poetic passage across time and terrain. It is a tribute to the rhythm of the rails, to the landscapes that define us, and to the art of moving through the world more deliberately.
This collaboration with VIA Rail was born out of a shared vision: to celebrate Canada not in haste, but in presence. As the founder of NOMADslow.tv, I have long been drawn to cinematic slowness, to the immersive, almost meditative experience of simply watching the world unfold. With The Canadian, that vision found its perfect vehicle.
What is Slow TV?
NOMADslow.tv is atmospheric cinema at its best. A contemplative way of seeing, where the world reveals itself in rhythm and light. There is no narrative, only presence. The story is the journey: the flicker of reflections on glass, the hush between landscapes, the quiet unfolding of time. When we slow down and truly watch, we don’t just see more - we feel more.
What is Slow Travel?
Slow travel is not about the destination, but the depth of the journey. It is about being present in movement, about noticing the subtle textures of time and place. Less about where we go and more how we get there. And on The Canadian, with its panoramic dome cars, warm meals, and generous pacing, slow travel becomes profound.
About the Series
This is the beginning of a multi-part atmospheric film series documenting the full route of The Canadian from east to west. Each episode is shot entirely from aboard the train, often through its windows, capturing the shifting character of the country in motion.
Each day builds toward a visual crescendo through the Prairies, the Rockies, and finally the Pacific.
The films are scored by ANTENNAE, an ensemble of Montreal musicians who gather to improvise live at NOMADlife.tv. The result is a pulse-driven ambient landscape : alive and resonant.
A Way of Seeing, A Way of Being
For me, NOMADslow.tv is more than content, it’s a practice. A way of seeing. A return to the present. This project with VIA Rail has brought that ethos to life in the most fitting way. It’s not just a train ride. It’s a window into Canada, into ourselves, into what becomes possible when we stop rushing.
And so we go, east to west. Slow enough to notice. Still enough to remember. One frame at a time.