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.
As Manuela becomes more immersed in her relationship with the teacher, she begins to question the rigid rules of the boarding school and her own sexuality. However, the repressive and conservative environment of the institution threatens to crush her hope for love and freedom. Tensions rise when the administration learns of the close connection between them, and they start to exert pressure on Fräulein von Bernburg, urging her to follow the rules strictly.
The story leads us to a heartbreaking conclusion in which Manuela confronts the harsh reality of rejection and repression while struggling to find her place in a world that seems to have no room for her feelings. Set against a backdrop of forbidden love and the struggle for identity, the film becomes a powerful testament to personal freedom and the limits society imposes on women.