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M. Leander Kalil is an interdisciplinary artist whose work with text, sound, figure, space, and image constellates in projects for screen and stage. His work has been supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and PRIM. He studied Philosophy at The New School and Architecture at The University of Toronto. He lives in Montréal.

*Please excuse the mess; the site is currently being renovated. 

Water Tricks

short film



2027

An exiled princess receives strange gifts on her 34th, 35th, and 36th birthdays.



 



(Currently in post-production)
Written, directed, produced by M. Leander Kalil


Four Apples

short opera



2026

Three women fight over four apples.







(Currently in development)
21 and 22 November 2026
Salle Paul-Buissonneau
Centre Calixa-Lavallée
Montréal

Music, design, direction by M. Leander Kalil
Starring Lucy Nichols, Julie Santini, M. Leander Kalil
Text by Vinny Francois
Costumes, Creative Assistance: Elaf Wehbe
Stage Manager: Emma Yee

Presented in the Creative Differences festival
Moment Theatre Collective

Poster photograph and design by M. Leander Kalil



Florentine

short semi-opera



2026

After recalling a strange medieval dream, an insomniac realizes he must have finally gotten some sleep.







8 and 9 August 2026
Théâtre VME
Montréal


Release of a Bodily Fluid

essay



2026

A reflection on jokes and laughter. 






Published in print in Dispatches 06

Read online 

Beach House

architecture



2024

A design for a house on a hill on a tropical island.






Figural Studies

Sculpture



2024

Males, females, finials, bath.






Materials used are clay, plaster, and stone.

View sculptures

A Counter

Furniture



2024

A counter made of wood.







Playing With Openings


Essay



2024

An exploration of the phenomenon of “composition”.













Two Crowns

Design



2023

A pair of crowns made of hand-cut and sanded aluminium and steel, respectively.







Modelled by Katrina Jurjans (left) and Olivia Norrmén-Smith. The crown worn by Olivia would go on to be a key part of her costume in Water Tricks (see above).

View photos



Chambre Pieces
The photograph to the left, taken at Villa D’Este in Tivoli, is one of the forty 35mm prints treated with analog tricks in Chambre Pieces, a short film taking its viewers on a tour of a mysterious complex. 

2020

short film
photography



Chamber Music

This three-act short opera follows the intertwining lives of a dying matron of a sanitorium, her foundling son, a dejected king, and his puckish augur.

2019

opera
architecture






Civilisation Cycle

A series of prints; figures at play among walls, stairs, portals, and plants.

2015

linocut
painting


All material on this website is © Matthew Leander Kalil unless otherwise stated or implied through credits.