‘What the people can expect is that this is a no-holds-barred depiction of their story. And nothing is swept under the rug,’ says filmmaker Diane Ventura of the Eraserheads documentary
MANILA, Philippines – Filmmaker Diane Ventura said the Eraserheads documentary, Combo on the Run, is all about the band “reclaiming their narrative” from years of speculation as to the what and the how of the group’s breakup. She said she’s lucky to have been able to sit down with them and hear them reveal their story.
“I really tried my best to really uphold their truth… what the people can expect is that this is a no-holds-barred depiction of their story. And nothing is swept under the rug,” Ventura said in a press conference on Monday, February 17.
The film is set to have a three-day run in cinemas, March 21 to 23, which distributor Warner Brothers’ Rico Gonzalez said intends to mimic how the band usually does concerts in a three-day back-to-back-to-back format. It’s also the first Filipino documentary released in the Dolby Atmos format.
The band’s singer Ely Buendia talked about how this was the right time for the documentary. “Time has passed and I believe in keeping something for yourself and not spoon-feeding your audience…. But there comes a time when I think that works against you…. So this time we chose a different path, and decided I think it’s high time that like what Diane said, it’s time to reclaim our narrative.”
Ely joked, “This isn’t our first reconciliation. We have gotten pretty good at it.”
He also commended how the members have a better relationship nowadays. “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.”
It was in 2002 that the band broke up, a year after their last album, Carbon Stereoxide. The band had a reunion in the late 2000s, before reuniting again in late 2022, which kicked off a world tour.
During the recent streak, the singer said, “I’ve learned to be more professional and work with others better… From the 2022 reunion, I think I’ve decided 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.”
On the lasting appeal of the Eraserheads
Ely said it’s no accident because they had wanted their songs to transcend generations from the get-go.
“I’m not surprised and I don’t mean that in an arrogant way. [But] from the very beginning, the band took pains to create something that is, first of all, has relatable and timeless themes. And that’s no accident because we wanted to transcend generations,” he said.
“And that’s what the 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 and inspiring musicians — and not just musicians, but people who aren’t artists to go out there, and be themselves and be their own person.”
The band’s best-selling album is 1995’s Cutterpillow, which sold 400,000 units. Ely talked about it here:
Will there be new ‘Heads songs?
“I think again it all boils down to timing,” said Ely. “Of course, we all, we’re very active in terms of making music for our own projects and the analogy here is… when you meet up with your ex, is it a good idea to sleep with them again? (Laughs) There’s so much baggage there.”
“It might be enjoyable, of course but you also have to think about the consequences,” he added. “I don’t mean to be super serious about it but there are a lot of considerations when you’re actually making music again. I mean it’s okay if we do the old songs for the fans… but it would be nice of course if the timing is right, and [all the members] feel now that we can.”
Ely also talked about a song that had become controversial soon after its released:
Eraserheads fans can hope. But for now, they can relive the music and the band through a documentary that, according to Ventura, may have drawn tears from Ely after watching — something the singer didn’t confirm nor deny at the event.
Ventura emphasized that making the documentary was cathartic for the band, and for her as well.
“We were doing the interviews independently [with each member], and what I witnessed… was that every time they would unload and speak their truth, the next day or the next time that they would meet each other, it was as if something was lifted even if they did not talk to each other…allowing that honesty to happen was, in and of itself, healing and cathartic,” she said.
“My takeaway is, sorry for being cheesy, but the truth can set you free.” – Rappler.com