Karolina dreams of joining her older sister Maya in the prestigious A-team of their girls’ choir in Prague. When Karolina unexpectedly gets promoted, she thinks her dreams are coming true. But the choir’s director, Vitek, soon takes a disturbing interest in her.
BROKEN VOICES: Ondrej Provaznik’s disquieting psychological drama is WHIPLASH meets THE ASSISTANT with a layered debut performance by Kateřina Falbrová. Felt a pit in my stomach pretty much the whole time watching it (TLDR: it's good).
My #KVIFF59 review: https://t.co/Vzx98N74YF pic.twitter.com/Ws5QiSrVyp
— Chase 'Hutch' Hutchinson (@EclecticHutch) July 6, 2025
At first, Vitek seems to just be pushing Karolina to be her best. He gives her extra attention in rehearsals as the choir prepares for a big U.S. tour. But his scrutiny becomes more and more oppressive.
First Crystal Globe contender at #KVIFF59, Broken Voices is not a film for anyone, but it may be one of the most unflinching portraits of abuse and power. Stunning performances all around, and great care taken not to define victims by their trauma. 8/10!https://t.co/bvdCD2UrYX
— Emma Kiely (@emma_kielyy) July 7, 2025
He starts isolating Karolina from the other girls. What began as an exciting opportunity turns into a nightmare for young Karolina. Vitek’s manipulation spirals into psychological torment.
I interviewed Ondřej Provazník about his phenomenal new film Sbormistr/Broken Voices, which has now become a hit at @KVIFF: "It wasn’t this black and white story like the Harvey Weinstein scandal, because the former choir girls split into two sides."https://t.co/5c9i3MtqVI
— Ian Willoughby (@Ian_Willoughby) July 9, 2025
Karolina feels trapped and alone, afraid to speak up.
"More 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' than 'Pitch Perfect,' Ondřej Provazník’s masterful period drama explores a complicated #MeToo case involving a manipulative choirmaster in the 1990s."
Very nice review of Broken Voices from Variety. https://t.co/zYhLzuKeGB
— Ian Willoughby (@Ian_Willoughby) July 7, 2025
The other choir members go back and forth between being jealous of the attention Karolina gets and being unknowing helpers in Vitek’s schemes.
Karolina’s manipulated choir journey
Even Karolina’s sister Maya has mixed feelings. She wants to protect her little sister. But a part of her also feels rivalry toward Karolina’s rising star.
It shows how Vitek’s power and influence corrupt the whole group. As the story unfolds, there are chilling hints that Vitek has a history of preying on vulnerable girls. His interactions with 13-year-old Karolina become more and more inappropriate, wearing down her confidence and free will.
It builds to heart-wrenching moments of trauma for Karolina. The snowy, isolated rehearsal space adds to the trapped, claustrophobic feel. In devastating contrast, the girls’ soaring voices show how much power they have – if only they were free to use their voices to speak their truth and pain.
In the end, the film is a haunting look at how abusers exploit the dreams of the young and vulnerable. And how those in power often stay silent.
