With her husband Jakub, 43-year-old former Prima Ballerina Maria moves to a small town and starts work in the ballet school, hired to train two students to compete in a prestigious competition in Paris. 15-year-old Marta, talented and very ambitious, is an obvious choice. To the surprise of all, Maria also chooses 16-year-old Tadek, a free spirit. Maria’s status is such that her choice is not openly questioned.
Rehearsals begin and Maria is harsh and exacting. She focuses on Tadek and gradually neglects Marta. With manipulative methods and unquestionable authority, Maria takes control over the boy and, in an attempt to fill the void in her life, she initiates a sexual relationship with him. For a while, Maria feels that she could be happy again.
Everything falls apart when Tadek tries to free himself. In affect and full of repressed emotions, Maria expels him from the competition. The next day, the school is surrounded by emergency services. Maria fears that it is about Tadek. But it is Marta, the silent victim of Maria’s actions, who has tried to take her life.