What do you do if you want to film the iconic story of Phileas Fogg , the intrepid Jules Verne character who takes a bet to prove that a man can circumvent the globe in 80 days ? Sure , you can follow Fogg 's trail around the world and start shooting in different locations -- or you can spend most of your time in Serbia . Starring Pierce Brosnan as Fogg , the 1989 TV adaptation of Verne 's `` Around the World in 80 Days '' was mainly filmed in and around the Balkan country -- then part of Yugoslavia . Thanks to its diverse landscape and impressive architecture , Serbia represented a total of 18 countries in the mini-series , while the city of Belgrade served as the backdrop for seven world cities . `` [ Serbia ] has a very long tradition of film making , '' says Ana Ilic , executive director of the Serbia Film Commission . `` Back in the 1970s and 1980s , there were so many huge co-productions that were made here . '' And now , filmmakers are taking notice once again as Serbia steps up its efforts to raise its profile as an important player in international filmmaking . From medieval castles to jagged mountains to modern cityscapes , it seems that every corner and crevice in Serbia can make the cut in Hollywood . International hits shot at least partly in the country include the film adaptation of William Shakespeare 's `` Corolianus , '' starring Ralph Fiennes and Gerard Butler , the 2012 period thriller `` The Raven , '' with John Cusack , while recently Pierce Brosnan returned to the country too to film spy action thriller `` The November Man . '' `` Serbia has done some really great productions in recent years , '' says Ilic . `` It has proven to be a really good competitive high-quality service filming destination -- it is quite hot now . '' 'Serbia , NOT Siberia ! ' Serbia 's renewed focus on building an impressive reputation in international movie production is benefiting several local industry players . One of them is film producer is Andjelka Vlaisavljevic , who is matching her movie-making savvy with a meticulous approach to budgets to win more and more big budget films . She says that it was n't always that way . `` They would say , 'Siberia , ' no way , we are not going there , it 's cold ! ' And so , it 's like 'no no no , it 's Serbia ! ' [ You ] can you imagine what the reaction to Serbia was , '' jokes Vlaisavljevic , founder of Work in Progress Productions . `` That 's changed completely now , '' she continues . `` The buzz is out that here it 's not just very good crews and all that , but it 's a good time that you have working in Belgrade . And again , everybody has such a low expectations when it comes to us , then they get pleasantly surprised and so they like it here . '' Resilient industry . But it 's not just movie producers taking advantage of Serbia 's bid to emerge as a key force in international filmmaking . Bojan Peric is a Serbian actor who 's found success at home , and went on to appear at `` Lockout . '' He says he 's proud not just of his own accomplishments but of the talent and skill of the crews and production teams he works with . `` During all those bad times that happened in the past an industry that did not fall back was the film industry , '' he says . `` That 's important for the culture of the people and I believe that a country makes its image through culture . '' Read this : The ancient craft of Pirot carpet weaving . Read this : Serbia 's rise to tennis powerhouse . More from On the Road Serbia .
Serbia is stepping up efforts to build its reputation in international markets . Diverse landscape , varied culture and experience abroad are highlighted . Films shot in the country include ` ` The November Man '' and ` ` Coriolanus ''