Eraserheads to reclaim narrative in upcoming documentary

‘Eraserheads: Combo On The Run’ provides an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the ‘Huling El Bimbo’ reunion concert held in 2022. PHOTOS FROM DVENT PICTURES

In a press conference, Ventura shared that many of the stories surrounding the band have long been based on speculation, making this documentary a way for the members to share their side of their story.

"Nobody really knows what happened during the breakup, why it happened. So I think this is the guys reclaiming their narrative. I was lucky enough to have that chance to get a sit down for them to reveal their story. For me as a documentary filmmaker, at least for this project, I want to honor that truth and I think in honoring that truth and preserving it, that was my way of being objective," Ventura explained.

The filmmaker admitted that she came across revelations about the band that even she wasn't prepared for, making her reconsider how to approach them.

"I really tried my best to really uphold their truth so I think what people can expect is that this is a no holds barred depiction of their story and nothing is swept under the rug," she said.

Frontman Ely Buendia

Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia, known for being private and often vague about personal matters, acknowledged why the band decided to share their story now.

"There are misconceptions, urban legends, and myths — if you know what I mean — regarding the band which doesn't necessarily do any good for the band or the music. So this time, we chose a different path. We decided that this is high time, like what Direk Diane said, to reclaim our narrative," Buendia stated.

While the band has reunited multiple times over the years, Buendia admitted that their ability to work together had improved during their last reunion in 2022.

"This isn't our first reconciliation to be honest, we have gotten pretty good at it and I see the efforts of everyone to move forward in a more optimistic and positive light. It's a far cry from 30 years ago," he shared.

"I've learned to be more professional and work with others. From the 2022 reunion, I think I've decided that I will really try my best to get along with them and try to be more mature and talk things over and hear both sides of the story before I judge anything," he added.

Meanwhile, reflecting on their music's ability to resonate across generations, Buendia said, "I'm not surprised, and I don't mean that in an arrogant way because from the very beginning, the band took pains to create something relatable and with timeless themes. And that's no accident, because we wanted to transcend generations."

Buendia (second from right) with the documentary team (from left) Warner Brothers Philippines head of distribution Rico Gonzales, filmmaker Diane Ventura, and producer Francis Lumen. TMT PHOTO

"That's what the band is all about because we've been inspired by the previous generation to make music, and this is sort of paying it forward and giving back — to inspire musicians and not just musicians, but people who are artists to go out there and be themselves and be their own person. It's such a gift, and it's also why we're still doing this thing," he continued.

When asked about what she hopes audiences will take away from the film, Ventura was clear that the impact is subjective.

"I'm not one to dictate how the audience should react to the film, but maybe I could share my personal experience and learnings from having done the documentary. I think it's really about growth. In the process of making it, I've learned that the guys allow themselves to be so raw and honest and vulnerable. It gave me that courage to also allow myself to access those feelings that I did not allow myself to really face for a long time. And I hope that they can have a similar takeaway from watching the film," she said.

Beyond its storytelling, "Eraserheads: Combo On The Run" is making history as the first Philippine documentary to be presented in Dolby Atmos. Ventura collaborated with award-winning sound mixer Jason Abell, who has worked on high-profile music documentaries such as "Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé" and "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour."

The film's official poster, on the other hand, was designed by renowned multimedia artist Brandon Schaefer. Known for his work on Drive My Car and All That Breathes, Schaefer created multiple design concepts for the film.

"Eraserheads: Combo On The Run" is set for a limited nationwide release from March 21 to 23, offering fans an exclusive and immersive look into the legacy of one of the Philippines' most beloved bands.