The Chosen Ones

In the late 1970s, young Petra Grust begins teaching at the progressive Odenwald School. She is flattered by the trust placed in her by its widely respected headmaster, Simon Pistorius. Gradually, certain incidents at the boarding school begin to unsettle her. Petra realizes that Pistorius is abusing Frank, a 13-year-old student. When Frank is told he must spend school holidays with Pistorius, he attempts suicide. Petra informs Frank's father, who is also the chairman of the school's governing body, but the father believes Pistorius over his own son. Petra fails to convince others of the headmaster's true nature. Thirty years later, Frank approaches Petra, who has long since left the school and stopped teaching altogether. He has never been able to speak about what happened, but after the suicide of another pupil, he is no longer willing to remain silent. He wants Petra to bear witness at the school's forthcoming anniversary celebrations.