New documentary of Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk

This is exciting. I saw an ad in the Jewish Post concerning a new documentary about the rebbe Reb Meilech, and found this item online:

The world premiere of Hanoch Teller’s new documentary, Reb Elimelech and the Chassidic Legacy of Brotherhood, is scheduled for motzaei Shabbos, Saturday night, March 10 at 8:45 p.m. at Aish Kodesh in Woodmere. This film promises to be among the most inspiring and educational documentary ever produced for a Jewish audience. Rabbi Teller will present a brief introduction and message before every premiere of the film.Rabbi Hanoch Teller (author of 27 books, with a new biography of the Mirrer rosh yeshiva, Rav Nosson Zvi Finkel, to be shortly released, iy’H) produced a docudrama 16 years ago entitled Do You Believe in Miracles? that became a mega-hit, particularly in the day-school world.This new film is also targeted for the entire family and for every stripe of Jew. Using the highest quality cinematic techniques, state-of-the-art graphics, full orchestration by leading musicians, original scores, duets by famed vocalists Abish Brodt and Avraham Fried, and rare archival material, Teller has created an experience that will be cherished for a lifetime.Who exactly was Reb Elimelech M’Lizhensk? Why do 35,000 pilgrims travel to that remote corner of Poland in freezing weather every year on his yahrzeit? The answer to these questions, as well as the understanding of the origination of the Chassidic movement, is tastefully explained in this 74-minute film.But far more than just setting the backdrop of Jewish life in 18th-century Poland and Ukraine, which involved the Chmielnitzky massacres, blood libels, pogroms, debilitating taxes upon Jews, and the prohibition against Jews earning their livelihood as they chose, the viewer will understand the atmosphere of such angst-ridden despair that it resulted in the Sabbetai Zvi and Jacob Frank debacles. In such context, it will be appreciated how the Baal Shem Tov was finally able to give to the masses—whom he mixed with and uplifted—a reason to live.An all-star team of luminaries has been enrolled to share before the camera their unique perspectives on the subject. These scholars include Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu (former av beis din, London), Rav Berel Wein (noted historian and lecturer), Rav Abraham J. Twerski (noted author and psychiatrist), Rav Moshe Weinberger (mara d’asra and revered teacher, Aish Kodesh, Woodmere), and Rav Dovid Gottlieb (senior lecturer, Ohr Somayach Jerusalem; former professor of philosophy, Johns Hopkins University). And, of course, Rabbi Hanoch Teller knows just how to relate enchanting Chassidic stories for the contemporary world.Reb Elimelech’s life and teachings are the segue to the documentary’s key message of ahavas Yisrael. The film’s portrayal is both profound and engaging, with many contemporaneous applications. The viewer will be seriously challenged to see this film without being deeply inspired, uplifted, and earnestly committed to enhance his or her ahavas Yisrael. Inevitably, the viewer will wish to improve their personal avodah and desire to be, well, holier. The spectacular musical compositions will never leave you.The only way to view this documentary is to attend one of the premieres that will be held nationwide the week of Reb Elimelech’s yahrzeit (21 Adar). The film is not set to be available on DVD or through any other medium.As noted, the world premiere will be in Cong. Aish Kodesh at 894 Woodmere Place on March 10 at 8:45 p.m. Sponsorship opportunities are available for $180, which includes two free admission tickets, the DVD Do You Believe in Miracles?, and Hanoch Teller’s latest book. For information, contact 516-993-1636 or 516-476-9042.Other screenings in the New York area will be held iy’H March 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Rockland Community College Cultural Arts Theater, 145 College Avenue in Suffern (for women only); March 12 at 8:00 p.m. in the Young Israel of Holliswood, 86-25 Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens; March 13 at 8:30 p.m. in Cong. Ohab Zedek, 118 West 95th Street in Manhattan; and March 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Agudas Yisrael Birkas Yaakov of Passaic, 262 Terhune Avenue.

It's unfortunate that they say it won't be available after the release date. I won't be able to make it in all likelihood, and I would really rather not miss it. I sent an e-mail to Rabbi Teller asking him to reconsider, and I hope he does.