Love of music is the secret of Mateusz Maliński (Jules Benchetrit - 'Desire'), a boy from a poor Polish immigrant family who would never dare to tell his friends from the yard. Pierre Geithner (Lambert Wilson - "People of God", "Matrix") needs success to maintain the position of director of the Paris Conservatoire and a talented musician for his university to win a prestigious piano competition. Accidentally their paths cross. Geithner sees Mateusz's great talent and a chance to solve his problems. The boy begins learning to play the piano under the guidance of the haughty and uncompromising "Countess" (Kristin Scott Thomas - "Time of Darkness", "English Patient"). However, to win the competition, all three will first have to overcome their own prejudices.