Newsreels Short Motion Pictures in 1920-1930

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NEWSREELS ABOUT 1920-1930.
Newsreels are short motion pictures shown in cinemas and theatres about current affairs in between acts (Dictionary). They were introduced by a Frenchman, Charles Pathe, and were popular between the 1910s and 1960s. Newsreels were later overtaken by television news broadcasts which gained popularity in the late 1960s.
Thrill of the Thoroughbreds (1926).
This newsreel begins by showing a herd of well-maintained horses, each accompanied by a horseman. It is a visual, non-audio film made of continuous motion images accompanied by a written description of the activities. The images are all in black and white. Small groups of people are seen standing in a well-maintained lawn with tall, scattered trees as if having discussions("Thrill of the Thoroughbreds," 0:06-0:17). Most people are seen wearing hats, loose shirts, high waist pants, and boots. They are all men, which gives the illusion that women were either not allowed to participate in the horse racing event or were not interested.
In the background, one can see horses being raced by jockeys("Thrill of the Thoroughbreds," 0:18-0:23). Thousands of horses, owned mainly by the rich, are racing over one month at Saratoga. The horses are bandage insured against possible bruising that could arise("Thrill of the Thoroughbreds," 1:23-1:38). On the outskirts of the racecourse, groups of people are seen holding stopwatches and constantly taking glances at them. They are possibly horse trainers who keep track of the time their horses take to cross the finishing line ("Thrill of the Thoroughbreds," 4:25-4:35).
It is a racing event and a chance for investors to spot the best horse to buy. Therefore, the horses are seen being pampered are treated with a lot of care. The barbers clean, brush and apply lotions onto the horses to keep them well-groomed. Furthermore, the horseshoes are adjusted and fitted accordingly to maximize comfort("Thrill of the Thoroughbreds," 9:02- 10:12).
Walter Futter’s Curiosities #1 (1930)
This newsreel begins with a display of Fujiama mountain that is 12000 feet high. It is considered a sacred mountain, and Japan's annual soul-cleansing pilgrimage is held here. At the foot of the mountain, there is some vegetation and a water body ("Walter Futter's Curiosities," 0:50-0:55). Every year, pilgrims ascend this mountain for repentance. The believers are seen going up the mountain, one after the other, while others are descending. Most people wear hats, light shawls, and bags on their backs while using walking sticks for extra support ("Walter Futter's Curiosities," 1:20-1:35).
A middle-aged man is seen holding a woman's hand, walking towards an older man. They are newlywedded and have been found guilty of elopement. They kneel before the elder as a sign of humility. The old man seems to be rebuking their actions by repeatedly pointing at them and uttering words at them ("Walter Futter's Curiosity," 1;43- 2:00). It is a visual-only film; therefore, we cannot hear any words. He is then seen pointing at the mountain and bowing to instruct the newlyweds to ascend to the mountain to ask for forgiveness. The newlyweds are supposed to have their willow staff branded at each of the eight stations up the mountain to prove they were there. The young man and woman are then seen ascending the mountain, dressed in their traditional attire. They bow at the entrance of the first station, depicting that they are entering a sacred ground, then proceed to have their walking sticks stamped ("Walter Futter's Curiosity," 2:15-2:47). A multitude of people is seen trekking up the mountain, which takes four days.
In another setting within the same clip, voodooism is practiced on Haiti's island. The population predominantly comprises blacks. Despite being forbidden by the united states government, the practice is still prevalent. Residents are seen to be going about their life in a usual manner at the market. At the marketplace, women make the majority of the population roaming around carrying baskets and selling goods in what seems to be an open-air market ("Walter Futter's Curiosities," 11:59-12:05). Later on, people converge in what seems to be a religious gathering. Most men are seen drumming while children and women dance around erratically. The women are clothed in long dresses with their heads covered ("Walter Futter's Curiosities," 13:06-13:40). It seems to be a dressing code that is adhered to by members of the religion. A white woman is said to be the voodoo priestess who controls the natives, and this depicts inequality in the society as the whites are seen as superior. At midnight, a three-year-old child is sacrificed, depicting misinformed beliefs that...