‘Echoes of Valour’ producer Margaret Zambonini on AI in cinema: I would not like the human element to be taken out of the Arts – Exclusive

Echoes of Valour

For more than three decades, international producer Margaret Zambonini has lived an extraordinary professional journey.

From producing fashion shows for Saks Fifth Avenue to organising large-scale global events, her career has been defined not by logic but by instinct.

“Like many things in my life I have trusted my gut instinct even when it might not make logical sense. That instinct has brought me to the place I am today with many ups and downs,” she says.

Sixteen years ago, Zambonini added film production to her portfolio, a transition that allowed her to merge business acumen with creative storytelling.

“Being more experienced, I am able to teach younger filmmakers both business and life skills while they teach me filmmaking,” she said, pointing to the intergenerational exchange that keeps her inspired.

Her latest project, Echoes of Valour, is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival this year, one of the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in the world, founded in 1932.

For filmmakers, Venice is a proving ground that has launched globally acclaimed works from Satyajit Ray’s Aparajito to recent Oscar winners like Roma and Poor Things.

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For Zambonini, whose life and career have spanned continents, Venice marks a new chapter.

The film came into her life through an unexpected encounter at the Marché du Film in Cannes, the world’s largest film market.

"I also believe in making contact with everyone in my orbit, no matter their perceived place in society, this has brought me great joy and taught me that everyone is worthy and capable of making a contribution. Making friends with no intention other than having a conversation has opened up my world which has led to many great things, just like my chance encounter with Indira Mukherjee," she said.

‘Echoes of Valour’ producer Margaret Zambonini on AI in cinema: I would not like the human element to be taken out of the Arts – Exclusive

Why join hands with Indira for Echoes Of Valour? 

Indira Dhar Mukherjee, whose earlier film Putul had screened at Cannes, was preparing her next project when the two met.

“I had no idea that her film Putul had been screened at the Cannes Film Festival that week, she was just another exhausted filmmaker to me. However, I could feel the passion when she began telling me about her next film 'Echoes of Valour.' I instantly felt a bond with her and I was intrigued.”

That intrigue turned personal. Zambonini’s father was a paratrooper in World War II, haunted by the memory of watching his best friend die in front of him. Decades later, as an elderly man, he visited his friend’s grave. “This tragedy stayed with him his whole life. As an elderly man, my father went to find his friend’s grave and when he found it I saw the pain and anguish in his eyes. It gave me a little understanding about the loss of a soldier," she added.

The resonance of that loss shaped her decision to support this film. “My attraction to the film wasn’t because it was an Indian story but a human story about a mother’s love and loss and trying to find her way through the grief. She too had courage and was prepared to die in order to look into the eyes of the mothers whose sons were at war with her son. She learned so much from her encounter with ‘the enemy’. With the world being in such a state of conflict Echoes of Valour will shine a light on the personal side of war and its ramifications. You can always hope it might make a difference," she explains.

Connection to India 

Zambonini's connection to India is not accidental. A world traveller who has lived in different countries, she has visited India several times, including Kashmir.

“India is a beautiful country filled with so much culture but I know I have so much more to experience. I felt privileged to be able to work with an Indian company and their crew. They were all wonderful people and although I couldn’t speak their language there was also a familiarity about it. It was a film set," said Zambonini.

Her contribution to Echoes of Valour went beyond financial backing but she was also involved in the script part.

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"I was lightly involved in the script and edit but being an emotional support for Indira was probably my most important job. I was also a financier of the film," she said.

She believes the timing of such a film is significant because the way audiences consume cinema has dramatically changed in the streaming era.

"The film market, especially on the streaming platforms, is opening the world up to its viewers. The audience is clicking on content from various cultures with different languages. Viewers are learning that they can watch a great film with subtitles. I believe the most important film, regardless of origin, has to be a great story, portrayed by talented actors, with good audio and cinematography," she added.

Indian Films gaining traction 

In recent years, Indian cinema has indeed been gaining traction globally, with films like RRR, All That Breathes, and The Lunchbox finding audiences well beyond their home turf.

“Indian films are gaining traction and getting better at telling their stories with some great films being produced. Some of these films are being screened, to acclaim, by international audiences at Film Festivals throughout the world,” Zambonini observes.

For Echoes of Valour, Venice is both a celebration and a test and Zambonini is 'excited and scared'. “It is very exciting and scary to showcase our film to an international audience at the president’s level Venice Film Festival. You get so close to your film working with it every day that you lose all perspective. You might know it’s good but until you receive public recognition you’re never sure. That’s where the excitement comes in," she said.

With conversations about Artificial Intelligence dominating the future of cinema, Zambonini said AI is going to be of use but she says human element is important.

“Is AI films a good idea? I think we are all asking ourselves the same questions about Artificial Intelligence. I believe it has a place but I, for one, would not like the human element to be taken out of any of the Arts. We have our own distinctive perspective as a human and that should not be lost," said Zambonini.

Echoes of Valour is her first Indian film, born out of a personal connection and guided by her instinct. For Margaret Zambonini, it is proof that sometimes the most important stories come not from careful planning but from chance encounters — and from the courage to say yes.