CinemaBravo

The award-winning documentary Eraserheads: Combo on the Run is set to reach audiences in the United States and Canada after Abramorama acquired its North American theatrical rights from DVent Pictures.

Directed and produced by Maria Diane Ventura, the film follows the complete journey of the iconic Filipino rock band — from their beginnings as university students in the Philippines in 1989, emerging shortly after the EDSA People Power Revolution, to their rise as one of the country’s most influential musical acts. The documentary also chronicles their massive reunion concert, which drew nearly 250,000 fans. The acquisition marks Abramorama’s first Philippine music film.

Through candid interviews, rare behind-the-scenes moments, and previously unseen archival footage, the documentary explores the band’s story beyond their music. It highlights their rise to fame, internal conflicts, personal evolution, and the cultural influence they left on generations of listeners. The film also places the Eraserheads’ legacy within the wider social landscape of the Philippines, examining how their music became closely tied to the country’s identity during a time marked by deep political divisions.

Before arriving in North America, the documentary had already achieved several milestones. It became the first Filipino music documentary to receive the widest theatrical release in the Philippines, distributed by Warner Bros. It was also the first Filipino film to screen at San Diego Comic-Con.

The film has also made its presence felt on the international festival circuit. Among its accolades is the Best International Documentary award at the Ierapetra International Feature Documentary Festival in Greece. It was also included in the official Spotlight on the Philippines section at the 44th Annual Hawaii International Film Festival, and screened at both Doc Berlin and the Liverpool Film Festival.

The Eraserheads were formed in Quezon City in 1989 by Ely Buendia, Marcus Adoro, Buddy Zabala, and Raimund Marasigan. Over the years, the group has come to be recognized as one of the most influential acts in the history of Original Pilipino Music, earning the nickname “the Beatles of the Philippines.” Their music catalog has surpassed one billion streams on Spotify. In 1997, they also made history as the first Filipino artist to win MTV Asia’s Viewers Choice Award at the MTV Video Music Awards.

“I’m incredibly excited about this partnership with Abramorama,” Ventura said. “They are the perfect home for this film, not just because of their legacy in music documentaries, but because they understand stories that resonate on a deeper cultural level. While the film is rooted in the Eraserheads’ music, it speaks to division, reconciliation, and healing during a turbulent political moment.”

Abramorama CEO and president Karol Martesko-Fenster and senior vice president for business growth and creative strategy Damon G. Smith shared their thoughts in a joint statement about the documentary’s North American release.

“The Eraserheads’ story is one of extraordinary music. But it’s also about something much bigger – belonging, healing, and finding your way back to each other. Maria Diane Ventura has captured the interpersonal dynamics with real depth and heart, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring this film to North American audiences for the first time.”

Theatrical sales for the North American release will be handled by Joe Garel of Western Film Services. He will work with Abramorama and AB2 Media Group to implement a targeted release strategy aimed at Filipino communities, music fans, and specialty film audiences.

This collaboration follows the successful North American theatrical run of the Philippine romantic film Hello, Love, Again, which Abramorama and Western Film Services previously partnered on.

Eraserheads: Combo on the Run also joins Abramorama’s growing slate of music documentaries, which includes Ron Howard’s Grammy Award-winning The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years, Paris Barclay’s Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It, and Fiona Prine’s You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine.

The documentary is scheduled to open in multiple markets across the United States and Canada starting April 24.