Episode 298

full
Published on:

6th Oct 2025

#298 Coby Friesen and Cruising In Gomorrah

This week, we sit down with writer-director Coby Friesen to talk about his haunting and provocative new short film, Cruising Gamorah — a bold exploration of faith, repression, and desire set against the eerie calm of a reportedly haunted creek. Childhood friends Chris and Alex reunite for a camping trip that spirals into tension, temptation, and truth as their worldviews — and hidden feelings — collide under a dark, watching presence.

We dig into the film’s origins, the creative balance between spirituality and sexuality, and how Colby crafted such an emotionally charged story within Winnipeg’s thriving indie scene.

*We got new mics, so we're working out the tiny hum you hear in this one, apologies from the kitchen*

Host: Michael Petrow

Guest: Coby Friesen

Executive Producer: Michael Petrow

Editing & Mixing: Michael Petrow

Recorded at: Sick Bad Panda Podcast Studios, Winnipeg

Join the Debate:

DM or tag us in your debate takes on this episode or any other.

Instagram

Threads 

Facebook

Email: thereeldebaters@gmail.com

Ask a Question

RD voicemail 


New Episodes weekly

Hit 'Follow' or 'Subscribe' so you never miss a moment.

Links & Mentions:

Coby Friesen Wins 13th Annual RBC $10,000 Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition

Merch Tent


Upcoming Events:

🎃 “Do you like scary movies?”

Then come play a killer game of Halloween Movie Trivia with The Reel Debaters Podcast at Little Brown Jug,

🗓️ October 17th | Doors 6:45 PM | $15

Because on this night… “we all float down here.” 💀


🧠 5 rounds of fright-filled movie trivia

🎭 Costume Competition — come dressed to slay (literally)

🩸 Horror-Themed Adult Colouring Contest — because even monsters need to stay inside the lines

🍺 Blood-curdling brews on tap

🏆 Sinister prizes for the trivia champs, best costume, and creepiest colouring

So grab your ghoul squad, summon your knowledge, and prepare for a night where only the smartest survive the slaughter.

🎟️ Tickets on sale now — don’t ghost us!


Rate & Review

If you laughed, yelled at your speaker, or googled a reference — leave us a 5-star review. It helps more film lovers find the show!

Show artwork for The Reel Debaters

About the Podcast

The Reel Debaters
Where the Art Of Cinema Meets The Power Of "Debate"
The Reel Debaters is what happens when unapologetic movie nerds, sharp minds, and pure love for cinema collide, all from the heart of Manitoba's vibrant and ever-growing film industry

Each week, this crew of cinephiles and industry insiders sits down to explore film and television through a lens that’s equal parts irreverent and insightful. It’s where deep respect for storytelling meets a sense of humour that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Could James Bond hold down a job as a nanny?
What kind of wedding would Indiana Jones and Lara Croft have, and who’s surviving it?

Could Conan the Barbarian handle a high school sex-ed class...yeah, we asked that too.

But behind the laughs and the ludicrous hypotheticals is a genuine curiosity about how we connect to the stories we tell, the characters we create, and the impact film has on who we are.

Outside of the debates, their Reel Talk sessions and industry interviews dive into rich conversations with creators from Winnipeg to Hollywood — actors, producers, directors, and the voices shaping the screen, right now.

This is more than a movie podcast.
It’s a cultural jam session, a celebration of film, and a tribute to the joy of asking, "What if?"

New episodes weekly. Welcome to where the art of cinema meets the power of debate.

Meet your cast:

Micheal Petrow
Film And Entertainment Sales/Executive Producer/Host

Martin Navarro
Comedian/Host

Jimmy Skinner
Comedian/Host

Rob Strachan
Home Theatre Expert/Host

Ian Bawa
Filmmaker/Host

Mark Cowell
String Bean Comics/Host

Charles Fernandes
The Nerdgasm Show/Host

Emily Clark
Dodge baller/Host

Recorded at Sick Bad Panda Studios
Engineered, mastered, and produced by Michael Petrow
Support This Show

About your hosts

Micheal Petrow

Profile picture for Micheal Petrow
Name: Micheal Petrow

Genres: Drama, Independent, Obscure Comedies

Tropes: Meet Cutes, The Heroes Journey, Superhero Entrance

Favorite actors: Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet, Sandra Bullock, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale and Brad Pitt

Guilty pleasures: Cooking Shows, Cheeseburgers in the Movie Theater

Must see: I Melt With You, Wristcutters: A Love Story, Exit Through The Gift Shop

Childhood classic: Return to Oz

Favorite directors: Christopher Nolan, David Fincher, Tim Burton

Worst movie ever: Freddy Got Fingered

Favorite TV show: LOST, Westworld, Severance, Succession, Barry

5 TV Characters I love: Hank Moody, Don Draper, HOUSE, Elaine Bennes

Movie snacks: Cheeseburgers, Popcorn, Peanut Butter M and M’s

Movie crush: Kate Winslet in The Holiday

Emily Clark

Profile picture for Emily Clark
Name: Emily Clark

Genres: horror, sci-fi, musical/ theatrical, comedy

Tropes: Having sex means you die

Favourite actors: give me the unknown

Guilty pleasures: reality tv, F1 racing.

Must see: The Menu

Best childhood classic: Now and Then

Favourite directors: Cohen Brothers

Worst movie ever: Matrix Reloaded

Favourite TV show: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

5 TV characters I love: Captain Holt, Spike, Emily Gilmore, Winston Bishop, Linda Belcher

Movie snacks: popcorn with salt and vinegar seasoning

Movie crush: Flynn Ryder, Jack Dawson, Johnny Castle

Martin Navarro

Profile picture for Martin Navarro
Name:
Genres:
Tropes:
Favorite actors:
Guilty pleasures:
Must see:
Best childhood classic:
Favorite directors:
Worst movie ever:
Favorite TV show:
5 TV characters I love:
Movie snacks:
Movie crush:

Jimmy Skinner

Profile picture for Jimmy Skinner
Name:
Genres:
Tropes:
Favorite actors:
Guilty pleasures:
Must see:
Best childhood classic:
Favorite directors:
Worst movie ever:
Favorite TV show:
5 TV characters I love:
Movie snacks:
Movie crush:

Mark Cowell

Profile picture for Mark Cowell
Name:
Genres:
Tropes:
Favorite actors:
Guilty pleasures:
Must see:
Best childhood classic:
Favorite directors:
Worst movie ever:
Favorite TV show:
5 TV characters I love:
Movie snacks:
Movie crush:

Rob Strachan

Profile picture for Rob Strachan
Name:
Genres:
Tropes:
Favorite actors:
Guilty pleasures:
Must see:
Best childhood classic:
Favorite directors:
Worst movie ever:
Favorite TV show:
5 TV characters I love:
Movie snacks:
Movie crush:

Ian Bawa

Profile picture for Ian Bawa
Name:
Genres:
Tropes:
Favorite actors:
Guilty pleasures:
Must see:
Best childhood classic:
Favorite directors:
Worst movie ever:
Favorite TV show:
5 TV characters I love:
Movie snacks:
Movie crush:

Charles Fernandes

Profile picture for Charles Fernandes
Name: Charles Fernandes

Genres: Comedy, Kung Fu, Sci-Fi, Superhero, Horror

Tropes: “Juliet is the sun!” says Romeo. This is a trope.

Favorite actors: Robin Williams, Judy Greer, Sam Rockwell, Christina Ricci

Guilty pleasures: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie and first 3 seasons, Hell’s Kitchen.

Must see: Dumb and Dumber, Old Boy

Best childhood classic: Back to the Future

Favorite directors: David Fincher, Taika Waititi, Steven Spielberg, Mike Judge, Spike Lee

Worst movie ever: Jupiter Ascending

Favorite TV show: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Rescue Me, Stranger Things

5 TV characters I love: Charlie Kelly/Greenman Tony Soprano
Connie the Hormone Monstress Gob Bluth Larry David

Movie snacks: Popcorn, Sweet Tarts, Sour Jollyranchers, good ol’ greasy Hot Dog and/or Cheeseburger

Movie crush: Emma Stone Without movies or tv I would: probably be living in a van DOWN BY THE RIVER!