Nina Hoss is note-perfect as a perfectionist music teacher on the verge of a nervous collapse in this tightly wound, engrossing drama.

Anna (Hoss) is a violin teacher at a prestigious Berlin music school. Despite the opposition of all other teachers, she drives through the admission of a student in whom she detects a remarkable talent. Committed, she prepares him for the intermediate exam and neglects her family, including her son, whom she brings into competition with her new student, and her husband. Meanwhile, her colleague and lover Christian persuades her to join a quintet - it is a promising respite, but the pressure begins to mount and events threaten to take a dark turn…

Immaculately composed and backed by a stirring Bach soundtrack, The Audition is a gripping, distinctive spin on the demanding teacher/gifted student narrative that forces you to keep asking questions until its bracing final moments.

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