Drama , Arthouse/ Germany
Director: Chris Kraus
112 minutes
Synopsis
An embittered, 80-year-old piano teacher working in a women’s prison takes on the most challenging student in her enduring career. For years, Miss Krueger has been teaching classical piano to some of the most hardened female prisoners in all of Germany, but upon meeting brooding new inmate Jenny, Miss Krueger finally seems to have found the one student she can’t break through to — until she hears Jenny play, that is. A former piano prodigy whose abusive childhood prompted her to neglect her natural gift for music in the name of survival, Jenny is a violent offender whose notorious temper has, as an adult, repeatedly landed her behind bars. Though she does still display considerable talent, her decidedly antisocial behavior compelled the troubled prisoner to repeatedly sabotage opportunities to take part in recitals that would, at the very least, provide a momentary respite from her grim day-to-day existence.
Awards
Include Best Actress, Best New Actress, Best Screenplay, Best New Director – Bavarian Film Awards (2006); Best Feature Film – Shanghai International Film Festival and Reykjavik International Film Festival; Best Feature Film in Gold – German Film Awards (2007)
