PORTSMOUTH — Strange events happen in a small village in the north of Germany during the years just before World War I that seem to be ritual punishment. The abused and suppressed children of the villagers seem to be at the heart of this mystery.

Thus opens the first movie, “The White Ribbon,” at Shawnee State University’s International Film Festival beginning at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24 in Clark Memorial Library’s Flohr Lecture Hall. This movie, rated R was voted Best Foreign Film at the 2010 Academy Awards.

The movie is hosted by Thomas Piontek, Ph.D. See the movie trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KJKvvvxY74.

On Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. in the Flohr Lecture Hall, “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,” hosted by Julia Coll, Ph.D., is winner of the 1988 Toronto International Film Festival’s People’s Choice Award. The movie centers around a woman whose lover leaves her so she tries to contact him to find out why.

It is billed as “a new comedy about someone you know.” The young Antonio Banderas is in the film that is rated R. See the trailer at www.youtube.com atch?v=PypMOEKJuh8.

Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m., a Syrian Film, “Tea on the Axis of Evil” is featured. This film will be hosted by its director, Jean Marie Offenbacher and dips into real life in Syria and Middle Eastern Culture.

Dating, marriage, education, art, politics and religion are discussed by an array of interesting characters that spin a tale of contemporary Syrian life. See the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t7F4C5r_5w.

On Thursday, Jan. 27, at 7 p.m., “Bread and Tulips,” an Italian film and winner of nine David Di Donatello Awards (Italian Academy Awards) will be shown. Rosalba is a housewife in Pescara with teenage sons, married since age 21 to a plumbing supplier whose mistress is her sister-in-law.

When a tour bus leaves her, and her husband calls to tell her to stay put, she rebels and hitchhikes toward home, deciding on a whim to continue to Venice where she has an adventure without her family.

The film, rated PG-13, is hosted by SSU international student Raffaele Tufano. See the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_92dH8KhSc.

Friday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m., “Cape No. 7,” a Taiwanese Film and winner of two Taipei Grand Awards is hosted by student Yu San “Trista” Lai. The story is about the parallel love stories between the last days of colonial rule and the present day.

In 1945, a young man is repatriated to Japan and writes love letters on the ship to the Taiwanese girl he is leaving behind. They are addressed in the old Japanese way to a place called Cape No. 7 and are never delivered.

It wasn’t until 60 years later that the letters were given to a postman to deliver. See the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V7L6G11my0.

Saturday, Jan. 29, at 2 p.m., a Chinese film, “The Myth,” will be shown. The film, a Hong Kong Film Awards 2006 nominee, will be hosted by graduate student Yao (Jackie) Fu.

The movie, rated PG-13, is a blend of historical elements and fiction. It follows the adventures of intrepid archaeologist Jack, and valiant and loyal General Meng-yi, at the court of Emperor Qin Shi-huang.

Jack’s days are spent searching for an elusive magical gemstone that defies the laws of gravity. See the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pSc0czs0yM.

The International Film Festival is sponsored by the Center for International Programs and Activities. The movies are all free and open to the public at the Flohr Lecture Hall. Snacks will be provided.