With husband Brad Pitt in tow, Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie arrived in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo for the premiere of her directorial debut "In the Land of Blood and Honey" on Tuesday, reported the Serbian news agency Tanjug.

The story of a romance between a Bosnian Muslim woman and Serbian man against the backdrop of the Bosnian civil war has reignited passions and discussions throughout the former war-torn region.

Jolie, responding to questions at a press conference at the "Hotel Evropa" in Sarajevo, said she was motivated to make a film about the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 1990s because "I had a sense of responsibility to show the world what I learned."

The UNICEF ambassador said many of the media reports emanating from Serbia in advance of the film's release had been "complete lies" and the questions and emotions raised by the film indicated people in the region were having difficulty dealing with their past.

The Sarajevo Canton police department has taken increased security measures with Jolie's arrival and to deal with the large number of visitors expected at the premiere. Jolie reportedly donated 2,100 tickets to the showing to organizations representing Bosnian war victims.