Why Serbia Is Becoming A Popular Destination With Hollywood

When you think of cities associated with the film industry, what comes to mind? Los Angeles? New York? London? Paris? Berlin? Toronto? Belgrade?

Yes, Belgrade. Serbia, in general, was a hugely popular destination for filmmakers in the 1970s and 1980s with many huge productions being created and shot in the country. It isn’t difficult to see why, given the fact that the country offers such diversity and history. The country brings together a range of architectures in Belgrade, including medieval castles, ancient buildings, and country landscapes that vary from jagged mountaintops to pristine lakes.

Filmmakers are again choosing Serbia as a place to film and if that isn’t encouraging for you to pack your suitcase and head to Belgrade, then what will be? Here are three of the most famous productions filmed in Serbia.

Around the World in 80 Days

This 1989 television adaption of the iconic story of Phileas Fogg, was partly filmed across Serbia. Starring future James Bond Pierce Brosnan, the three-part series was originally shown on NBC in America and garnered three Emmy nominations that year. Serbia’s diverse landscape and impressive architecture saw it stand in for a total of 18 of the countries visited by Fogg with Belgrade itself being used as the background for seven different world cities. Your own journey through Serbia can be similarly documented, and the ways how we can document our travels is constantly changing; try a free online video maker to get you started.

Coriolanus

There must be something about the stars of James Bond and filming in Serbia. Brosnan isn’t the only man to do it with Ralph Fiennes also taking his turn in Serbia before his days as M in the 007 flicks. Serbia was the location for filming Eastern European scenes, with the film also starring Gerard Butler. The country had such an impression on Fiennes that he accepted honorary citizenship in 2017.

The Raven

The 2012 psychological crime thriller The Raven starred John Cusack, Alice Eve, Brendan Gleeson and Luke Evans. It is a fictionalized account of the last days of the writer Edgar Alan Poe’s life. Serbia’s rural charm and old-fashioned countryside were deemed perfect as a stand-in for the setting of 19th century Baltimore. The film was a commercial success, receiving $1.7 million more than its budget. Despite some differing opinions of the film’s success, it’s visual effects and location were praised.

Regarding your own visit to this aesthetically stunning country, be sure to check out these films before you go, to give you an idea of what to expect. Making the most of your trip and seeing the sites can ensure your trip is a memorable one, encompassing all the elements that attracted film producers in the first place. A country steeped in history is well worth a small amount of research, and doing so will mean you can make the most of your visit, no matter the length of time. Documenting your own experiences will ensure you have memories to look back on for years to come.

This is a contribution from one of our contributing writers.