Augen zu

At the age of thirteen, Monette is already forced to realize that money plays an important role in life. As a result of the economic crisis, her father Frank becomes unemployed from one day to the next. This has unexpected consequences for the whole family. They have to say goodbye to their detached family home and move into a much smaller apartment. In contrast to her sister, who finds the new circumstances very difficult, Monette is a modest girl. What really bothers her, however, is that there are suddenly a lot of arguments in the family, almost always about money, and mutual recriminations. Monette doesn't want her family to suffer and thinks back and forth about what she could do to get money. In the end, she comes up with the abstruse idea of auctioning off her virginity to the highest bidder on the internet.

Directed by Julia Ziesche, Augen zu leans on a strong ensemble — Thorsten Merten, Teresa Harder, Runa Greiner — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2011.