Malek, 18, dreams of becoming a well-known lute musician but his mother wants him to go to university. She reminds him that his own deceased father was not able to make a career in music nor feed his family because of his passion. But she has not taken into account Amir’s visit, Malek’s paternal uncle and a music teacher who comes after an absence of ten years. Amir proposes to help Malek fulfil his dream and promises to reveal the secret of the 5th string. Encouraged by his friend and confident Mansour, an old neighbour, Malek decides, despite his mother’s reluctance, to go to his Uncle’s.

Malek then goes through a very rigorous, hard and troubling apprenticeship. But his love for Ilhem, a young singer he meets among other students at his uncle’s, helps him to put up with the tyranny of his master.

Amir teaches Malek the subtleties of lute and tells him the story of a string added to the lute by Ziryab, an exceptional musician from the 9th Century. He explains that the symbol of this string is the way to perfection. In the meantime, Ilhem introduces him to musicians with whom he improvises associating the lute to other instruments. He realises this is the music he wants to play.

During a concert at the uncle’s home, a music producer notices Malek’s talent and proposes to sign a contract with Amir. Eaten up by jealousy, Amir cannot stand Malek’s new talent as a composer and lets the producer believe that he is the one who composed the music. He forces Malek to compose more music and decides to appropriate his score. Ilhem overhears the conversation with the producer and tries to warn Malek unsuccessfully.

Amir locks Malek up and humiliates him, explaining that only suffering can allow him to surpass himself. He steals Malek’s partitions while manipulating Ilhem to keep her away from Malek. When Malek discovers that Amir had treated his father in the same way, he decides to challenge him and speak his mind.

With more confidence in himself, Malek applies to take part in the International Lute contest. He is finally revealed as an astonishing musician.