In a stark boarding school for girls in Germany, young Manuela faces an oppressive world filled with strict rules. Upon arriving at the school, her life takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself attracted to the charismatic and understanding teacher, Fräulein von Bernburg. Unlike the other teachers, this mentor shows empathy toward the students and seems to understand the internal struggles Manuela faces, who deals with the pain of losing her mother and the loneliness that surrounds her.