“Eraserheads: Combo on the Run,” a sneak peek of the long-awaited film, opens the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) on March 4, 3:30 pm at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Director Maria Diane Ventura and special guests will be in person to present the documentary on one of the Philippines’ most popular and influential rock bands, composed of Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala and Marcus Adoro.
“Eraserheads: Combo on the Run,” the most anticipated non-fiction film in recent Philippine cinema, will open the second Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) on March 4 at the famed TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Since the trailer of Maria Diane Ventura’s film on one of the Philippines’ most popular bands premiered before thousands of Comic Con 2024 attendees and then earned thousands of views online, anticipation for the documentary has been sky-high.
“Eraserheads: Combo on the Run,” presented by the MIFF with permission by Warner Bros. Philippines, is a special work-in-progress screening with director Ventura and special guests appearing in person at the 3:30 pm event.
Eraserheads is composed of Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala and Marcus Adoro. Ventura said about her documentary in a published interview: “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.
“I’m incredibly lucky and grateful to have witnessed these men allowing themselves to open up in ways people have never seen them. Each interview revealed new layers and complexities, which found us constantly reframing to deepen the narrative.
“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.”
MIFF, which is sponsored by BingoPlus and Megaworld, is also proud to announce two films added to this year’s screening slate, Real Florido’s romance “Everything About My Wife,” starring Dennis Trillo, Jennylyn Mercado and Sam Milby, and Christian Acuña’s action-adventure-fantasy “Magikland,” starring Miggs Cuaderno, Princess Aliyah and Elijah Alejo.
Tickets and screening details of the four-day festival at the TCL Theatre are available at https://manilainternationalfilmfest.com/
MIFF goers will vote on audience awards for best picture, best director, best actor, best actress, best supporting actor and best supporting actress. The talents behind the films being screened will participate in Q&As after each screening.
MIFF is offering complimentary tickets to the first responders, frontliners and healthcare professionals to any screenings of their choice, including Regina Aquino’s documentary “Faith Healers,” by filling out this form: https://form.typeform.com/to/zSwdsbrl
To encourage the youth and families, especially choir members, to watch King Palisoc’s “Song of the Fireflies,” the inspiring drama-musical starring Morissette and Rachel Alejandro on the true story of the Loboc Children’s Choir who rose from a small town in Bohol to worldwide acclaim, MIFF is offering a discount promo code: FIREFLIES25.
A portion of the proceeds from the MIFF events, including its screenings, will be donated to the Los Angeles fire relief efforts.
