THE FOUNDER, JOEL SOLER

The Magos Foundation finds its source of inspiration in Aksum (Ethiopia),
a sacred place for the three monotheistic religions. It was during my visit to the tomb of King Bazen, associated with the biblical magi Balthazar, that something became abundantly clear. That from now on I’d devote my time to the search for these illustrious Kings of the East and their message.

I started collecting art works to illustrate an exhibition, conceived as a cinematographic immersion in the world of the Three Wise Men. More than 2000 references accumulated during my wanderings, enriched by donations from artists and patrons, will be presented for the first time to the public in Malaga, Spain from November 2024 until February 2025. The promise of the Magos Foundation is to share these unique works of art for present and future generations but also to transmit the values carried by these Sages: Not only a dialogue between cultures and beliefs, but also a rapprochement between East and West.

The creation of the Magos Foundation is the result of a personal conviction. That of an attraction for the Orient largely influenced by my Andalusian origins, mixed with Christianity and Islam, and my Spanish ancestors who settled in Algeria during the French colonization. The assassination of my grandfather in the land of Islam, on the day of Algeria’s independence (hundreds of Christians were thrown that day into a mass grave by their Arab brothers, whose anger was only the culmination of several decades of oppression) has certainly influenced the choices of my documentary films.

Having devoted more than 15 years to making political documentaries, I have met the most intolerant figures in our contemporary history: Khmer Rouge representatives in Cambodia, members of Hitler’s entourage, Hutu leaders in Rwanda responsible for the Tutsi genocide, the spiritual guide of Osama Bin Laden, the widow of General Pinochet who told me that the massacre of Chilean communists was a necessity, Nexjime Hoxha, first lady of the communist regime of Albania who considered the assassination of religious as essential or the current vice-president of Liberia, Jewel Taylor, who believes that the bloodshed during the civil war was inevitable.

What really remains of the Treaty of Tolerance, in which Voltaire said: “May all men remember that they are brothers! let them abhor the tyranny exercised over souls”? The November 16th award ceremony in Malaga will be an opportunity to listen to what opinion leaders, role models have to tell us and, I hope, open our minds to more promising horizons. The “Treaty of Tolerance” Humanitarian Prize will be a way for all of us to come to the aid of these heroines and heroes who fight to promote these values of Tolerance.

A personal initiative can only be viable if it becomes collective. Let us be inspired by the teachings that the Sages want to transmit to us, by walking together in their footsteps.

Joel Soler is an award-winning documentary filmmaker whose works have been screened in over 80 countries. His first film “Uncle Saddam” obtained the highest audience ratings for the American channel HBO/Cinemax for non-fiction. He notably directed “Bin Laden: Dynasty of Terror” and “Uncle Hitler” on the Führer’s family. He is the creator and director of the eight-episodes of the series “Despot Housewives” about dictator’s wives. His film subjects related to terrorism and dictatorships earned him detention in Al-Qaeda (southern Yemen) and a 50-day incarceration in Maltepe in Turkey. Residing in the United States for 14 years, he benefited for a time from FBI protection. He organized at the United Nations in New York the 40th anniversary of the Declaration of the Women’s Rights. During the Yugoslavian war, he led a humanitarian convoy to the Bosnian refugee camps. He initiated with Nobel Peace Prize winners Jody Williams and Wangari Maathai, as well as Queen Noor of Jordan, the Cinema Verité film awards.