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Yi Yi
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Yi Yi

2000
Drama
2h 53m
This film portrays life through portraits of the individual members of a Taiwanese family, each representing a stage from birth to death. (WinStar Cinema)
Directed by:
Edward Yang Edward Yang
Written by:
Edward Yang Edward Yang
Starring:
Nien-Jen Wu Kelly Lee Issei Ogata Su-Yun Ko Elaine Jin Shu-shen Hsiao Jonathan Chang Hsi-Sheng Chen Adriene Lin Pang Chang Yu Ru-Yun Tang Shu-Yuan Hsu
More
Genre:
Drama
AKAs:
一一, A One and a Two, Yī Yī, Yi Yi: A One and a Two
Countries:
Japan, Taiwan
Languages:
English, French, Mandarin, Japanese, Min Nan, Hokkien
imdb More information at IMDb
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Yi Yi

2000
Drama
2h 53m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 77.22% from 1297 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 19 May 2013
93
97th
Business hurts, dreams hurt, family hurts, people we left in the past hurt, people who are with us right now hurt, friends hurt, waking up in the morning hurts, staying up all night hurts, not taking the garbage out hurts, going to school hurts, not being loved back hurts, holding a loved one's hand hurts, not being able to see what other people see hurts, good music hurts. Life, no matter how old or young we are, hurts. This film, by reflected, still and long shots, is life itself.
Rated 19 May 2013
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 29 Jul 2011
5
91st
Yang doesn't set out to make some overarching statement about Life or anything like that - he just manages the feat of making the characters on screen feel like real people, minimizing the barrier between film and audience (despite his compositional brilliance and the gorgeous soundtrack) and allowing us to enter into their lives over the course of a few weeks. This is both simple and unassuming, and in its own way wildly ambitious; what results is something very profound.
Rated 29 Jul 2011
arkadiaarkadia
Rated 08 Apr 2009
72
50th
There are two sides of you, a front and a back which you can't see yourself. This movie is beautiful in showing you the invisible inside of its characters. But too many of the shots were slow AND empty -- a terrible combination. I understand it's meant to make us more contemplative, but that works better if we're given something to contemplate. The slow shots in this movie only work when there's some life in the background to look at or some tension to focus on.
Rated 08 Apr 2009
drstrangeluvdrstrangeluv
Rated 03 Dec 2009
100
99th
Yang's heartfelt chronicle of a Taiwanese family and their daily struggles is one of those films that sticks with you long after viewing. Its style and tone are clearly influenced by the familial dramas of Yasujiro Ozu, and the film radiates with a simple beauty that subtly pulls the viewer in without their knowledge. By the time Yi Yi has reached its conclusion, we know and love these characters-- not because a narrative dictates as much-- but because we ARE them. Outstanding cinema.
Rated 03 Dec 2009
bakcheiabakcheia
Rated 15 Aug 2017
100
98th
Truly a masterstroke of cinematic storytelling, Yi Yi is a densely layered yet wholly humble film that uses a macroscopic visual aesthetic to somehow detail an incredibly nuanced and prolific story in the life of one family. Like any great artwork, Yi Yi leaves no element unconsidered, and all the plot mechanics and cinematography coalesce into something deeply profound by the end of this film's long running time, recalling Tarkovsky or Ozu. An absolutely stunning film worth rewatching.
Rated 15 Aug 2017
denizgdenizg
Rated 01 Aug 2017
100
99th
bu filme 10 vermeyen beni kumpellerden çıkarsın
Rated 01 Aug 2017
teddedonTedDedon
Rated 01 May 2008
77
54th
There's no doubt that Yi Yi is a masterfully crafted film, but I just couldn't find much I personally related to. On most objective criteria, Yi Yi excels and is a legitmately great movie, but ultimately the culture jump and storytelling didn't grip me as I expected it would given the critical acclaim this one holds as one of the top films of the decade. I don't see it personally but can certainly appreciate why many others do.
Rated 01 May 2008
le_mamile mami
Rated 08 Sep 2017
90
95th
One of those movies you want to rewatch to get the same pleasure again and understand better. Every character is perfectly designed to help to create the bigger picture, the family.
Rated 08 Sep 2017
jonnykungfujonnykungfu
Rated 17 Aug 2011
90
93rd
Touching film that displays a deep understanding of humanity. The film plays out like a cross between Ozu and Robert Altman, with the light touch that only Asian cinema seems to present, and the accessible use of an ensemble cast. A moving, beautiful experience.
Rated 17 Aug 2011
bownBown
Rated 21 Feb 2010
90
93rd
Captures so many facets of humanity beautifully.
Rated 21 Feb 2010
joojooJooJoo
Rated 28 Aug 2010
7
99th
It's all so simple. I've decided that's why I love it.
Rated 28 Aug 2010
perrystroikaPerryStroika
Rated 20 Sep 2010
100
99th
A beautifully made and observed family drama set in Taipei. Reminiscent of Ozu in its grace, compassion and melancholy.
Rated 20 Sep 2010
kasperlKasperL
Rated 11 Jul 2012
80
86th
Strong drama which fills its long running time with many fine little moments. It's a film I appreciated a lot while watching it and since have had a great deal of difficulty recalling anything from.
Rated 11 Jul 2012
sourheartsourheart
Rated 29 Mar 2018
5
95th
One of the most beautiful films. Scene where he reads the letter is heartbreaking. Use of children incredibly clever. How to do a dream scene.
Rated 29 Mar 2018
kevinjosephkevinjoseph
Rated 07 Jul 2010
77
94th
Stunning and original camerawork. Great writing (I especially loved the scenes between the father and the almost otherworldly Japanese businessman). I was definitely hooked.
Rated 07 Jul 2010
ceekay19Ceekay19
Rated 01 Apr 2020
60
26th
Yang-Yang: "I'm sorry, Grandma. It wasn't that I didn't want to talk to you. I think all the stuff I could tell you... You must already know. Otherwise, you wouldn't always tell me to 'Listen!' They all say you've gone away. But you didn't tell me where you went. I guess it's someplace you think I should know."
Rated 01 Apr 2020
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 02 Jul 2022
89
91st
A beautiful movie about a year in the life of a Taiwanese family and their very human struggles. Full of three dimensional characters who feel like real people and their struggles with guilt, relationships, aging, business, fitting in, and so much else. It made me feel somewhat similar to how the Linklater film Boyhood did, full of very authentic feeling scenes filled with authentic feeling people.
Rated 02 Jul 2022
guaporenseGuaporense
Rated 10 Apr 2013
51
23rd
Borefest. Gives points for ambition but lacks any sort of actual artistic merit.
Rated 10 Apr 2013
ceruleanblueceruleanblue
Rated 15 May 2013
10
94th
Wonderful. "Life isn't that complicated, if seen from another side." Might have to watch this one again.
Rated 15 May 2013
lisa_iilisa-
Rated 26 Jan 2014
2
11th
i don't get it. it's pretty much a tedious melodrama. the only real positive i can think of is that it's a well-constructed story, otherwise i was bored half the time and rolling my eyes the other half. jeez that opening music was atrocious. comparisons to ozu are close to offensive.
Rated 26 Jan 2014
parcalihamparcaliham
Rated 07 Apr 2008
60
27th
07 Nisan 08, atlas2 sira4 koltuk1, 16:00, 27.ist. film festivali. & ozur dileyerek itiraf ediyorum ki, bitmeden ciktigim tek film.ilk basta yonetmene ve emege olan saygimdan kalmak istedim fakat uyudugumu farkedince bunun ve o salonda kalmanin daha fazla saygisizlik oldugunu dusundum.film, bir suru olay, karakter isliyor ve bence gercekten agir, uzun bir film.ileride bu filmi ozellikle tekrardan, daha sakin kafayala izleyecegim (bu filmden once 2 film daha izlemistim) soz veriyorum sana yang.
Rated 07 Apr 2008
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 11 Jul 2017
5
93rd
It's a special film which can weave moving life-and-death tapestry with such unassuming motions.
Rated 11 Jul 2017
icarusIcarus
Rated 17 Oct 2007
88
85th
An excellent film that effectively portrays the variety of perspectives within a family. The film manages, through its slowly unfolding narrative, to imbue the characters with a sense of true humanity, leading to an affecting conclusion. At times the film seems to get bogged down in narrative details, which detract a bit from the overall effect. But in general, this is a delightful piece of work from Yang, full of wisdom and pathos.
Rated 17 Oct 2007
eveeluneveelun
Rated 30 Aug 2007
78
70th
It manages to stay subtle and interesting, but to be honest I don't quite see this as the masterpiece some people make it out to be. I didn't really care for the daughter's storyline. I did enjoy the father character and the way he develops. The film is a strong investigation of a family with a lot of depth to it.
Rated 30 Aug 2007
yiannosYiannos
Rated 30 Nov 2014
85
97th
Sprawling and sensitive chronicle of a middle class Taiwanese family that captures the desires, fears, regrets and disappointments of its individual members over the course of a year. Many of Yang's recurrent themes are present here--the loneliness of big city life, the difficulty of emotional connection, the uneasy relationship between tradition and progress--but the end result is warmer, in addition to being more generous, accessible, and affecting than usual. A minor masterpiece.
Rated 30 Nov 2014
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
65
25th
Interesting but ultimately unmemorable movie. So unmemorable that I can't think of anything to say about it.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 01 Mar 2017
90
91st
It's like if The Godfather had no plot and also focused on the 3rd generation of the family
Rated 01 Mar 2017
spikycactusSpikyCactus
Rated 21 Apr 2019
70
46th
Top badass moment? Mr Ota. Wish I could be that comfortable with my life. He was… nice. His Mr Spock hair cut was cool too. The rest of this movie is basically just a soap opera about a Taiwanese family, where the men are shoe-gazing miseries and the woman model-like servants. Despite that and it’s 3 hour run-time, it’s surprisingly accessible for people like me, who’s entire understanding of Asia is based on the local Chinese take-away’s menu. No cats, chainsaws or decapitations.
Rated 21 Apr 2019
chengmingchengming
Rated 11 Nov 2018
80
87th
Looks (and sounds!) way too pedestrian to really captivate me and a few times feels a little forced. It is full of intelligent observations about life though, and also manages to narrate five different stories without ever making me feel regret when cutting from one to the other - which the fewest of movies (or books) achieve.
Rated 11 Nov 2018
l0gicalL0gical
Rated 18 Sep 2016
94
92nd
Simplicity is really the best style!
Rated 18 Sep 2016
zarkonZarkon
Rated 29 Jul 2018
90
89th
Gorgeously shot. There are some powerful and remarkably realistic scenes in the film, such as the girl's fear that she's responsible for her grandmother's illness.
Rated 29 Jul 2018
pratchett3Pratchett3
Rated 17 Jan 2018
7
50th
I was expecting this to be really good, but idk, a lot of the character arcs just didn't grab me. the real meat of most of them seemed to have happened offscreen, and we only got to see the after effects
Rated 17 Jan 2018
rojatumerojatume
Rated 24 Aug 2017
98
99th
The details in this movie are insane, and the characters are so real
Rated 24 Aug 2017
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 10 May 2017
9
90th
Bloated and sluggish, yet holds many truthful observations about the fragile and at times complex nature of modern relationships. One minute, I sat in disbelief as I glanced at my phone's clock, the next, nodding in solemn agreement at its understated profundity. Shy of masterful, yet a great film if you're willing to dig deep enough.
Rated 10 May 2017
rapmastergrapmasterg
Rated 10 Apr 2024
85
90th
Cool look at multi generational parallelism reinforced through sound design and editing.
Rated 10 Apr 2024
paulofilmopaulofilmo
Rated 05 Feb 2022
72
78th
writing this a week after watching, and . . I have very little memory of it. oohf.
Rated 05 Feb 2022
roujinroujin
Rated 30 Jun 2007
100
99th
Too much.
Rated 30 Jun 2007
yesistastyyesistasty
Rated 18 Feb 2024
98
97th
Such a wonderful film. Such a handsomely shot and observed chronicle of urban life in the age of globalization. Yang's ability to place human drama within the context of impersonal urban structures and architecture is unmatched. Stunning images throughout.
Rated 18 Feb 2024
hadleyreisHadleyreis
Rated 07 Aug 2023
78
71st
This film is so fast paced that you don't even get a chance to
Rated 07 Aug 2023
getmoneygetmoney
Rated 08 Jun 2023
100
99th
Instantly one of my favourite films.
Rated 08 Jun 2023
thervealThe_Rveal
Rated 09 May 2023
43
91st
"Yi Yi" is a visually striking film exploring complex emotions in everyday life. Yang's unique shooting style immerses audiences in the story, set against beautiful backdrops. Stellar performances make it unforgettable, but its long runtime, slow pace, and focus on alienation may deter some viewers. The film's poetic structure adds depth, but its subtle nature could make it difficult for some to connect with the characters and storylines.
Rated 09 May 2023
holosko10holosko10
Rated 08 Feb 2023
100
93rd
ı will give a chance this boring film one more time, one day.
Rated 08 Feb 2023
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 05 Dec 2022
96
96th
Yi Yippee Ki Yay, Motherfucker
Rated 05 Dec 2022
nargNarg
Rated 07 Aug 2022
99
99th
Real as real. To capture this much humanity, to capture the magnitude of the small moments that make up life, I mean... wow. If you needed to show aliens a movie to help them understand the wacky species we call homo sapiens this seems like it would do the trick.
Rated 07 Aug 2022
larsvontrierLarsVonTrier
Rated 13 Jun 2022
3
72nd
still walking is better.
Rated 13 Jun 2022
larmorlarmor
Rated 25 Jun 2019
42
31st
There's a certain elegance to this movie, and Yang-Yang is a delightful character, but that's pretty much it. Otherwise it seems to be a take on the inscrutability of life and "oh gosh it's so confusing" but without much substance to take home, a pitfall that Ozu (the clear inspiration of Yi Yi) managed to avoid in his movies.
Rated 25 Jun 2019
shewasSheWas
Rated 15 Jan 2022
63
59th
I think others might be better qualified than me to judge this piece. Or maybe I just didn't like it
Rated 15 Jan 2022
metismetis
Rated 06 Aug 2021
94
95th
43:13??????????????????????????100+?/?????????????????????/???"?????????????????????????"????"?????????????????????????????"/???NJ???????????????????????????????????"?????"/? [...]
Rated 06 Aug 2021
wwallce4prezWWallce4prez
Rated 09 May 2021
88
92nd
Just a masterclass in simple story telling with immense emotion. Each character is ripe with tragedy in their own way with beautiful and authentic performances. I came away with an understanding of Taiwanese culture in the late 90s that I was not expecting. Really good.
Rated 09 May 2021
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 07 Mar 2021
72
42nd
Sprawling, long-winded family drama suffers because its characters are so intensely repressed; you almost want to scream at the screen to the characters to DO SOMETHING! There is something to be said for close observation of lives that aren't pumped up by artificial dramatic fireworks, but the lack of significant narrative incidents starts to become wearying as we head into the third hour. Still beautifully crafted, and there are some touching moments of genuine poignancy.
Rated 07 Mar 2021
hofschneiderHofschneider
Rated 03 Aug 2020
90
91st
I had outrageously high expectations... and they were met.
Rated 03 Aug 2020
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 17 May 2020
93
92nd
Filme #400 do ano: As Coisas Simples da Vida estreava há 20 anos no Festival de Cannes. Yang-Yang meu coração é todo seu. É tudo que tenho a dizer sobre esse filme. BlurayRip no MakingOff.
Rated 17 May 2020
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 18 Apr 2020
90
80th
Viewed April 16, 2020.
Rated 18 Apr 2020
skapskap
Rated 04 Mar 2020
55
23rd
A bit too subtle for me, could not see a masterpiece here hard as I looked. One must be a big family drama lover to be able to finish this one.
Rated 04 Mar 2020
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 09 Feb 2020
80
78th
Long slice-of-life drama that really plays on the mistakes we may have made in the past, and whether, if given a chance, we would fix them. Reminiscent of Ozu's works with an interest in the mundane parts of family living. A good choice if you prefer atmospheric movies (even those a bit long and with a lot of characters).
Rated 09 Feb 2020
empiremagempiremag
Rated 22 Apr 2009
5
93rd
"Sublime writing, sensitive direction."
Rated 22 Apr 2009
frankhowleyFrankHowley
Rated 25 Mar 2011
85
90th
Beautiful and remarkably human. It's reaffirming of life's simplicity and natural grace.
Rated 25 Mar 2011
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 19 Jun 2010
85
81st
Very contemplative film, with a hook that is both it's strength and weakness. By spreading its focus across 5 characters it manages to hit an awful lot of points that mostly mesh together well into a lyrical treatise on life. It spreads itself a little thin, though, which makes it feel a tad long and kept me from connecting to any of the characters. At a different point in my life maybe I'll consider this a masterpiece, but at the moment it's just a wonderful but not quite great movie.
Rated 19 Jun 2010
cinemaasiaCinema_Asia
Rated 09 Feb 2010
80
84th
Good but problematic in its ponderous nature which leaves us thinking what the big deal was. The drama at times felt a tad contrived especially the romantic side stories. This film is still masterfully shot and told in such a way that it doesn't completely miss the mark. There are times where we feel like a sympathetic voyeur watching the family's life unfold through the security cameras or lingering in the doorways. We see their lives up close and intimately but it's never invasive.
Rated 09 Feb 2010
theyshoot10theyshoot10
Rated 14 Jan 2010
78
56th
446
Rated 14 Jan 2010
robosapienrobosapien
Rated 24 Oct 2009
6
49th
Actually it's not the greatest movie. I have to give it a high score because I used to wear the same school uniform and have the same backpack!!! !! But it does feel like it hits you on the head with stuff and the lines do feel pretty, uhhhh, fake? I don't think you're allowed to do that in a slice-of-life movie. But, anyway, it looked great and it was pretty damn enjoyable. Watching the little boy eat at McDonald's made me: ^_^
Rated 24 Oct 2009
evolutionEvolution
Rated 15 Jun 2009
82
75th
This could easily have been a masterpiece.
Rated 15 Jun 2009
oaicoaic
Rated 09 Jun 2009
75
45th
The first two times I saw this, it felt life changing. The third time, years later, it just seemed like a bunch of people doing things. Maybe I was just in a bad mood?
Rated 09 Jun 2009
qvtQVT
Rated 08 May 2009
5
8th
Insufferable "family drama."
Rated 08 May 2009
carlitalianocarlitaliano
Rated 07 Jul 2011
90
96th
se for pra fazer ficção, que seja assim...
Rated 07 Jul 2011
westknifewestknife
Rated 27 Feb 2009
86
81st
Probably the best Chinese film I've seen, a deep and thorough look at one family's experiences with life and death. The many long, reflective shots were fascinating.
Rated 27 Feb 2009
theyshoot08theyshoot08
Rated 19 Dec 2008
70
40th
597
Rated 19 Dec 2008
tabidotstabidots
Rated 22 Jun 2008
85
47th
Incredible performances by Wu Nianzhen and Johnathan Chang -- especially the final scene (although I thought some of the female characters were a bit over-the-top). The individual family member's lives were woven together very cleverly, and I liked the subtle atmosphere and pacing. However, I think that the focus was a bit unbalanced in spots, leaving me wanting to see more of certain characters and less of others.
Rated 22 Jun 2008
lonelypandalonelypanda
Rated 20 Mar 2008
40
18th
Sad, poor, boring, Chinamen!
Rated 20 Mar 2008
theyshoot07theyshoot07
Rated 02 Mar 2008
72
55th
# 569
Rated 02 Mar 2008
ophirzemerophirzemer
Rated 14 Aug 2007
40
3rd
long and boring
Rated 14 Aug 2007
willofgaiawillofgaia
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
72nd
Well acted, but for all of the profundity Yang seems to be aiming for, the film just seemed empty. Definitely worth seeing, though.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
chow25chow25
Rated 14 Aug 2007
96
98th
Very subtle film that really touched me.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
hulothulot
Rated 26 Aug 2012
80
81st
watched: 2012, 2017
Rated 26 Aug 2012
jazzalohaJazzaloha
Rated 29 Jan 2016
81
93rd
ps75
Rated 29 Jan 2016
randorirandori
Rated 19 Dec 2015
70
53rd
daha iyi olabilirmis
Rated 19 Dec 2015
muhtarpmuhtarp
Rated 19 Oct 2014
90
85th
çocuğun gözünden kamerasından deneyimler. gittikçe uzakdoğu sinemasının önemi
Rated 19 Oct 2014
rufamRufam
Rated 21 Apr 2014
70
57th
A somewhat inflated and uneventful film, but ultimately a successful and immersing one. Although not one of my favorite films of this sort -that is slow, realistic, plotless family dramas- I can't deny neither its authenticity nor its ability to make us connect to the characters and events. What ultimately seals its worthiness in my mind is little Yang-Yang's storyline as by far the most poignant and penetrating of an uneven lot.
Rated 21 Apr 2014
troothTrooth
Rated 29 May 2013
70
53rd
A lot of shots, instead of putting you in the same room as the characters involved, will have you just outside the room, looking in through a window or a glass door, sometimes with a lot of glare on it. Probably symbolic or something I DUNNO
Rated 29 May 2013
actionbergActionberg
Rated 26 Feb 2013
85
84th
A tale of the uncertainty of perception, one where a character's dreams seem to line up as though fate demanded it, but then suddenly get snuffed out with brutal pragmatism. For a movie that simultaneously addresses so much of life, it's kind of amazing how the message never loses its way across a broad spectrum. "Movies make a person's life three times as long," and the idea starts to crumble by the end, because their desperation for meaning sometimes just doesnt line up with reality.
Rated 26 Feb 2013
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 24 Feb 2013
6
55th
Quite the accomplishment considering there's not much to it but yet I was intrigued the entire time. The cinematography was amazing, unlike anything I've ever seen. Loses points for zero replay value and nothing too memorable. Worth watching if you feel like pondering your shitty life
Rated 24 Feb 2013
svengaliSvengali
Rated 04 Sep 2012
72
66th
There's a lot to like and I like a lot of it but there's some stuff I don't like that much.
Rated 04 Sep 2012
francogonzoFrancoGonzo
Rated 21 Feb 2016
17
93rd
Star Rating: ★★★★1/2
Rated 21 Feb 2016
mightysparksmightysparks
Rated 07 Aug 2012
50
39th
Cheesy, in-your-face and uninteresting. Whilst a couple of the subplots were interesting, it felt like a silly soap opera that thinks it's profound. A little more subtlety and some more interesting characters/narrative would've helped.
Rated 07 Aug 2012
whatismynamewhatismyname
Rated 01 Jul 2012
75
88th
A very relaxing film, just peering through the lens into the lives of this family.
Rated 01 Jul 2012
stevekimesstevekimes
Rated 02 Apr 2012
82
58th
A true to life family drama.
Rated 02 Apr 2012
tzakieltzakiel
Rated 14 Feb 2012
68
26th
I had a really hard time connecting with this movie, despite it being described as everything I love in a film. I felt it dragged and none of the characters really spoke to me, some of them I didn't like at all. I enjoy a lot of other Asian cinema and really wanted to like Yi Yi - what did I miss?
Rated 14 Feb 2012
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 30 Nov 2011
84
68th
#321
Rated 30 Nov 2011
natebarriosnatebarrios
Rated 15 Nov 2011
100
99th
'Incredibly profound.' That is, perhaps, an understatement.
Rated 15 Nov 2011
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 14 Oct 2011
40
97th
"A humanistic masterwork." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 14 Oct 2011
toxicwindtoxicwind
Rated 15 Sep 2011
5
20th
really couldn't get into this one...
Rated 15 Sep 2011

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