Peter Simonischek plays the lonely and eccentric father of his grown-up daughter, a career-driven management consultant based in Bucharest. During a surprise visit, he invades his daughter's work-dominated life and worlds collide: baby-boomer clashes with corporate climber, prankster with determined over-achiever. After beating an initial retreat, the father suddenly reappears in disguise as the fictional Toni Erdmann, turning his daughter's life upside-down. Sandra Hüller delivers a subtle but powerful performance, portraying a character driven from level-headedness to unbridled emotion.

Within days of its screening, distributors from numerous territories, including the United States and China, bought "Toni Erdmann." On May 20 it won the Fipresci Award.