Crisanto Ramos Jr

Maria Diane Ventura’s documentary feature film offers an unflinching and unwavering depiction of the Philippines' most successful band of all time

Article (news)

Maria Diane Ventura's Eraserheads Documentary 'Combo on the Run' Hits Theaters Nationwide March 21

Maria Diane Ventura’s documentary feature film provides an unflinching portrait of the
country’s most successful band of all time

Maria Diane Ventura's Eraserheads Documentary 'Combo on the Run' Hits Cinemas Nationwide March 21

It’s official: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571111704199" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eraserheads: Combo on the Run</a> will premiere througout the entire country for one weekend only, from March 21-23, 2025.<div style="text-align:justify"> </div>The highly-anticipated film among the collective comprised of <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/5C8exBHLifsjZxzVErjRpn?si=sfWZEqnkRDC8draMuC4Kag" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ely Buendia</a>, Raimund Mrasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro&#x27;s die-hards probes deep into the heart and soul of a band that defined a generation of Filipinos.  The objective is to exclusively share the untold, never-before-documented story of their painful disbandment and the difficult but necessary adversities and challenges they had to overcome to get back on stage for their historic reunion in 2022, at a time when the country was grappling with political division, turmoil and uncertainties.<div style="text-align:justify"> </div>Eraserheads: Combo on the Run targets to present an insightful and perceptive deconstruction of how a group of ragtag  punks from UP Diliman came together and provided reprieve to an entire nation while, perhaps unwitingly, undertaking a journey of healing themselves.<div style="text-align:justify"> </div>Producer-filmmaker Maria Diane Ventura, who spearheaded the cinematic project believes that the documentary is much more than a portrayal of a band’s dissension and the proverbial clash of egos. It aims to be an essential piece of work that captures the quartet’s unflinching truthfulness and untold story behind the scenes, giving the audience an incredible sense of why they mattered and still do up to this day. “This is a comprehensive deconstruction of the band’s mythology, humanity, complex relationship and the lasting mark they left on Filipino culture—one that transcends generations and differences,” Ventura shares. <div style="text-align:justify"> </div>Ventura, who also has a list of acclaimed and award-winning body of work in film and music under her belt, highlights and underlines the vulnerability and susceptibility of the band members throughout the process. “Notorious for their guarded aloofness, I’m incredibly lucky and grateful to have witnessed these men allowing themselves to open up in ways people have never seen them,” she recalls. “Their candidness and forthright honesty were a gift. It wasn’t just cathartic for them; it was transformative for me as a filmmaker and audience member. It gave me permission to reflect on my own truths, and I hope it does the same for others.”<div style="text-align:justify"> </div>The journey to finish Eraserheads: Combo on the Run was far from easy. Ventura admits the process was painstakingly grueling, both physically and emotionally. “Each interview revealed new layers and complexities, which found us constantly reframing to deepen the narrative. Documentaries are a different animal, and I have tremendous respect for documentary filmmakers. It’s such a wild and unpredictable ride because it could go a million different ways. We’ve had over 30 reshoots over two years and 58 versions with the help of 4 editors. I’ve been so lucky to have had guidance from great friends, filmmakers and the band. If it weren’t for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@elybuendia9000/videos" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ely Buendia</a>, Francis Lumen, and the support and help of so many like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WarnerBrosPH" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Warner</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/WEU_Events-100095353266532/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">WEU</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/voyagestudios" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Voyage Studios</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/offshoremusicph" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Offshore</a>, I don’t think I could have finished this. This would probably be my first and last documentary. An exception only for the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/7374lH6kwx9uQATYQ9H3Cp?si=e5H__UYmQi--BzSrZ1h-2w" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eraserheads</a>, who I owe my career trajectory to and who, objectively, I think is the greatest Philippine artist, with Ely as the best songwriter of all time. This was my way of thanking them by upholding their legacy.” <div style="text-align:justify"> </div>When asked how she finally came to the final version in an exclusive online chat with One Music PH, Ventura said it&#x27;s still on ongoing process. &quot;Just last night we made version 60 (laughs). Hmm it’s quite difficult to say actually. There was never a feeling of full certainty with any project of mine where I felt completely satisfied. I don’t think I&#x27;ve sat through any of my previous films without feeling despair and desperation to rewrite, re-edit and reshoot.&quot;<div style="text-align:justify"> </div>&quot;Admittedly, the point i feel happiest is when we complete filming,&quot; Ventura added.  &quot;There’s an inexplicable high matched with melancholia plus a sense of fulfillment from having finished something. So it’s not the work per se but just the relief and satisfaction of knowing I am able to finish something.&quot;<div style="text-align:justify"> </div>&quot;I try to negotiate one close to when i feel my energy and life force is close to being depleted. It’s a bit intuitive. It’s kind of a self preservation mechanism because i know there is a point where i would get overwhelmed with cynicism when I feel my limits have been reached and life force sucked. I might have experienced this a little with this film where i had thoughts of never doing another documentary again because of the challenges of having infinite possibilities with the story and footages. There were moments where i’ve had editors give up on me because of my never-ending new theme additions and pivots. I understand them completely though, when I have an idea that I am unable to let go, I can be quite tenacious and I imagine the discussions were simply too exhausting with me and i feel guilty  for that. I’m so grateful to all of them though and to all those who helped guide me into the right path. They’ve all helped me keep my sanity through this process. Without them we could not have made the finish line.&quot;<div style="text-align:justify"> </div>&quot;I have a tremendous amount of respect for documentary filmmakers but I think I might revert back to narrative features after this one. I made an exception just for the Eraserheads (inserts smiley).&quot;<div> </div><div>About the filmmaker</div>﻿Maria Diane Ventura is a Filipino-American producer, writer, and director known for her thought-provoking films that garnered critical acclaim in the international festival circuit. Her mind-bending TheRapist earned a spot in several &quot;best short films of Asia&quot; lists, and 2014’s Awaken, an exploration of dream states and altered consciousness, won her the Best Director award at the International Film Festival Manhattan. Her most recent project, the German film Deine Farbe (Your Color), bagged more than 22 awards from film festivals across Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America and is now on Amazon Prime.She is the Managing Director of DVent Productions, which co-spearheads the Eraserheads&#x27; 2022 historic reunion concert and current world tour. <div>About the film</div>Eraserheads: Combo on the Run provides an exclusive, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the 2022 staging of the Huling El Bimbo reunion concert, featuring rare footage and never-before-seen interviews that reveal intimate details about the band.The upcoming documentary feature has huge potential to be considered as one of the most important films of 2025 by both film critics and pop culture pundits alike. It is set to premiere in theaters nationwide beginning March 21, 2025.Eraserheads: Combo on the Run isco-presented by Dvent Pictures and WEU and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Maria Diane Ventura’s documentary feature film offers an unflinching and unwavering depiction of the Philippines' most successful band of all time

Maria Diane Ventura's Eraserheads Documentary 'Combo on the Run' Hits Cinemas Nationwide March 21

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Maria Diane Ventura's Eraserheads Documentary 'Combo on the Run' Hits Cinemas Nationwide March 21

Cris O. Ramos Jr.,

One Music PH

Published January 04, 2025 10:02 PM PHT

|

Updated January 06, 2025 12:40 PM PHT

Read More:

Combo on the Run

Eraserheads

Maria Diane Ventura

March 21

WEU

DVent

Nyou PH

Warner Bros PH

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