In Memory of Lia Van Leer, Trailblazing Israeli Film Maven
What you need to know: Lia Van Leer, a pioneering figure in the Israeli film industry who founded the Israeli Cinematheque and served as director of the Jerusalem Film Festival, died this past Friday at the age of 90.
Tribeca says: Honor Van Leer's laudable, cinema-loving legacy by checking out Tali Goldenberg's 2011 documentary Lia or, even better, the exciting if often-overlooked talent within the modern Israeli film scene, of which Van Leer was an unwavering, full-hearted champion.

To Pimp A Butterfly: Kendrick Lamar Drops Third Album a Week Early
Tribeca says: I told my homie I copped the Kendrick Lamar album this morning. Immediately interested, he asked me, “What kind of album is it?” I said it was brilliant. I didn’t love every song but I respected the journey. I loved every word of it. I’ve listened to it three times in a row so far. Back to back. Simply and complexly, I finally answered him: "It is a black album." Proud and flawless in all its imperfections, I think it should be recognized and celebrated as such. It is universal in its appeal as it guides us through a trip of black music (funk, jazz, soul, rock & roll, and hip-hop) and an honest man’s personal journey, exploring his aspirations for the future as universal themes of love, hurt, frustration, anger, joy, and hope resound throughout the project. I could break down the records but this isn’t a rap blog. To Pimp A Butterfly is real music for real people. It is a missive to the future that channels the most powerful vibrations of black music’s rich past. It is a journey. A narrative that echoes somewhere between the space of Ali’s decision to resist and Malcolm after Mecca. An album that fans of D’Angelo’s “Voodoo” can dig as much as the kids on the Complex Network of blogs. At the very least, it's worth your attention. - Rob L'etat (@robletat)

Celia Rowlson-Hall's Feature Film Debut
What you need to know: MA, the feature filmmaking debut of the innovative New York director/performer/choreographer Celia Rowlson-Hall, will premiere at PS 1 this April as a special advance preview during the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival. This work-in-progress version of Rowlson-Hall's contemporary, scorched-Southwest interpretation of Mother Mary's religious expedition is presented as part of MOMA's weekly Sunday Sessions series.
Tribeca says: We're happy to have another versatile and virtuosic visionary in our already-long list of female filmmakers represented at this year's Festival.

Visible Women at Work in the Music World
What you need to know: In a January 2015 Pitchfork article, Björk voiced her frustration over the absence of photographic documentation of women working in the studio. Inspired by her exasperation, and surely their own, Female Pressure, an online, international network of female EDM artists, have started "V I S I B I L I T Y," a tumblr devoted to one simple, subversive mission: creating "a visual catalogue of female producers, DJ's, media artists, and electronic music performers at work," including Dana Siciliano (above), a musician, composer, and producer.
Tribeca says: A rousing, concrete reminder of both undeniable progress and unsung genius.

Jinx Finale Takes Jaw-Dropping Turn
What you need to know, BUT ONLY IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN LAST NIGHT'S FINALE, HAVE YET TO START THE SERIES, OR RESIDE UNDER A ROCK: Robert Durst, the suspected murderer and eccentric, enigmatic subject of Andrew Jarecki's six-part HBO docuseries The Jinx revealed on last night's finale that he "killed them all," seemingly taking responsibility, in instantly-iconic fashion, for the numerous murders he had rumoredly committed (and been acquitted of) over the past few decades. This reveal aired only hours after Durst was arrested on a murder charge in New Orleans over the weekend, following a failed attempt to check into a hotel under a fake name.
Tribeca says: Our spines: tingling. Our hairs: on end. Our minds: totally, irrecoverably blown.

In-Depth with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
What you need to know: British Vogue's new profile with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a must-read, as the Nigerian novelist and feminist icon speaks candidly on subjects ranging from Beyoncé (who prominently sampled Adichie's famous Feminism TED Talk on "***Flawless"), Ava DuVernay and Selma's Oscar slight (which made her "personally furious"), American race relations, the groundbreaking women she admires, and the planned, Brad Pitt-produced film adaptation of her novel Americanah, which is set to star Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo.
Tribeca says: Adichie is a godsend for our troubling times and Americanah is an expansive and extraordinary achievement that all but begs to be read, felt, and remembered. We cannot wait for this movie.

"Ruth. Musial. Mantle. Will Ferrell." - Will Ferrell. #FerrellTakesTheField pic.twitter.com/7el4FZQRzG
— MLB (@MLB) March 13, 2015

#FerrellTakesTheField
What you need to know: Will Ferrell broke a legitimate sports record this past Thursday by playing nine different positions for ten different MLB teams in the span of a single day, a feat which probably won't sit well with some of the more by-the-book baseball disciples. Ferrell's feat is part of an effort to raise money and awareness for the organization Cancer for College and will be further documented in an upcoming TV special to air this summer on HBO.
Tribeca says: It's not enough to make us see Get Hard but we're heartened and humbled by Ferrell's athletic endeavor.