HBO Europe Greenlights Romanian Original

HBO Europe has greenlit its latest Central European original, tentatively titled Tuff Money (Bani negri), from Romanian writer-director Daniel Sandu.

In the series, two lovable losers joke about being able to commit the perfect crime. The joke backfires when their words are misconstrued, and they find themselves forced into actually having to commit the robbery. The six-parter is created, written and directed by Sandu (One Step Behind the Seraphim, Hackerville).

Tuff Money (w/t) sees HBO Europe continuing its collaboration with Mobra Films, following 2018’s Romanian-German series Hackerville.

Antony Root, executive VP of original programming and production at HBO Europe, said: “Tuff Money is a funny and smart caper that is absolutely Romanian at heart, with a sensibility and charm giving it an appeal beyond local audiences. The combination of Daniel’s authored vision and Mobra Films’ internationally-renowned excellence make it an exciting addition to our local originals slate.”

Johnathan Young, HBO Europe’s VP of original programming and production for Central Europe, commented: “Daniel is one of the freshest voices in Romanian film and TV and we’re excited to be working with him on his first authored series for television, and to be joining forces once again with Christian Mungiu’s Mobra Films to bring it to life.”

Sandu added: “I wanted to create a story at the thin line of comedy, a drama about ordinary people who get caught up in incredible situations. If I were to sum up the story of Bani negri in one word, it would be ‘consequences.’ It is about the domino effect of actions triggered by one little innocent joke.”