Berlin, 1942. Friedrich, 16 years old, is a talented amateur boxer who dreams of doing something with his life. He is discovered at a boxing match and is offered the opportunity to attend an elite Nazi school.

Among Friedrich's new friends is Albrecht, the son of a high-ranking official. A fragile young man who prefers to train his mind more than his body. Albrecht is very critical of the Nazi ideology being taught in the school and writes an essay condemning the German's barbarity. When Albrecht's father forces him to conform, Albrecht refuses and suffers the consequences. Devastated, Friedrich vows to avenge his friend's fate, even if it means losing everything he's fought for and abandoning his dream of a better life....