Monday, December 5, 2011

Today in History # 8 - Brokeback Mountain

Day 2 classes - E, F, G

Please click on the link and read the article.

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/brokeback-mountain-premieres

After reading the following article, please write a 100 word essay on the following questions. Have you seen Brokeback mountain? If so, what is your opinion about the movie. What was the reaction of the movie when it first came out? Who is Heath Ledger? Have you seen any movie that he has starred in?

Due by DECEMBER 9, 2011 by 7:00pm

39 comments:

  1. I have not seen Brokeback Mountain, but I know it is based on two cowboys who meet as sheep herders in Wyoming and begin a romantic relationship. When this movie came out many people were in shock and considered it “gay.” Which in fact, was about two men in a relationship, but we shouldn’t necessarily say it in that manner because when people say that they usually mean it in an offense way. When I heard about the movie I was in shock, because I knew not many people would agree with the storyline, but people do have to realize that there are people of the same sexes who have relationships and just as they respect us, we should respect them because at the end of it all we are all humans. In the movie starred a well-known actor, Heath Ledger. He is Australian and has starred in other movies such as, 10 Things I Hate About You and The Dark Knight as the Joker. He won an Academy Award as Best Actor and even after his death we still remember him as one of the best actors, especially for his most famous role as the Joker in Dark Knight.

    Janessa Suarez E Block

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  2. F Block
    I never saw the movie Brokeback Mountain helmed by the Taiwanese director Ang Lee, but of what I have read on the article it was really good because it earned eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. This movie also received critical because of portrayal of a same-sex relationship.
    This movie was Heath Ledger’s first Academy Award-nominated, he was born on April 4, 1979, in Perth, Australia and scenes he was little he likes the TV, his first time in Hollywood was on 1999’s with the movie 10 Things I Hate About You.

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  3. (E Block)
    Ah yes, Brokeback Mountain. I saw that movie and thought it was hilarious. The movie was about these two cowboys who were hired to herd sheep, they fall in love and then have a gay romantic relationship for many years, even while they are married to their wives. My reaction to this film when it first came out was that I thought it was funny since it was the first time in my life that a movie about gay people was shown in theaters. As for my opinion on the gay issue, it is simple. 1) I don't believe in gay marriage because God says through the Bible that homosexuality is wrong. 2) I do think that since we live in a free country, gay people can do whatever they want in the privacy of their homes. 3) I also believe that just as us straight, normal people respect the lifestyle of gay people, they too need to respect us and our lifestyle. Now as for Heath Ledger, he was a respected actor who starred in many well known movies such as The Dark Knight, which is one of my favorite movies. It's a shame that he killed himself because he was a really good actor who would have brought much enjoyment to movie fans in the coming years.

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  4. I have not seen the movie,Brokeback Mountain. Reading up on it the plot is about a pair of cowboys who meet as sheep herders in Wyoming in 1963 and begin a romantic relationship. The movie was greatly critized for the same sex relationship it portrayed,but at the same time earned eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Ledger) and Best Supporting Actor (Gyllenhaal), and took home three Oscars. Personally Im believe that anyone gay or straight should be treated the same as a human being with the rights that this free country has blessed us with. Im against though same sex marriage,because i believe that is sacred between a woman and a man.

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  5. Heath Ledger is an actor who was born on April 4, 1979, in Perth, Australia, appeared in Australian television shows and films as a teenager and had his first Hollywood hit with 1999’s 10 Things I Hate About You. Brokeback Mountain marked Heath Ledger’s first Academy Award-nominated performance. Brokeback Mountain stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as a pair of cowboys who meet as sheep herders in Wyoming in 1963 and begin a romantic relationship that endures for two decades. I have never seen Brokeback Mountain; however I have heard a lot of jokes about the movie. When the movie premiered some groups criticized it for its portrayal of a same-sex relationship, and one theater owner in Utah backed out on an agreement to show the film. Ledger has also starred in movies such as The Patriot, Monster’s Ball, A Knight’s Tale, The Four Feathers, Ned Kelly, The Brothers Grimm, I’m Not There, The Dark Knight and Spiderman 3. Unfortunately, I have never seen any of these movies.

    SYDNEY COOK
    E BLOCK <3

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  6. E Block

    I personally have never seen Brokeback Mountain as a whole but rather in pieces. I like everyone else know the general storyline for the movie about the two cowboys who fall in love and are of the same sex. When the movie first came out in December 2005 I was only about six or seven years old so I was unaware of the whole concept of homosexuality. As I grew older and understood what was going on I had no issues with the movie but I knew the ridicule that would come along with making a movie like this. The general public was not in favor of the movie probably because it would be on e of the first times that someone would be openly showing that they are gay. I also contrary to what some people have to say have no problem with gay marriage. Everyone is entitled to go on a get married in life whether gay or straight. I don't think that because a person has finally comes to terms with their sexuality they should feel the need to hide it because its not "socially accepted" or "politically correct". As for Heath Ledger, I have seen multiple movies with him playing one of the characters in the movie. He was well respected and had quite a large fan following. It's sad to see how sometimes life can take a drastic turn on some people which in turn causes them to end their life.

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  7. I have never seen the movie Brokeback Mountain but after reading the article and searching for more information about the movie I learned that the movie is about two young cowboys named Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar. Each of them is hired to corral sheep on the title location and they soon bond very closely. Their platonic relationship explodes into a physical one, but eventually the two are separated when their job comes to an end. Although the two follow different life paths, one becoming a father of two and the other marrying into a successful business. They have a reunion years later. Each is affected profoundly by the rekindling of their old feelings for each other. Those feelings lead each to consider what continuing their hidden relationship would cost them. Heath Ledger was an Australian television and film actor. Yes I have seen movies that he worked in, for example 10 things I hate about you, which was a great movie.

    Claudia Gomez
    E Block

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  9. I have never seen Brokeback Mountain but I definitely have heard of it and have a general idea of what the story’s about. The movie came out when I was a little girl however, growing up I’ve actually understood the concept of homosexuality. The media didn’t favor this movie at all. Mainly because of it probably being the first time homosexuality was promoted in a film. I’m not a homophobe however, I don’t favor gay marriage. I believe that couples should be male and female like God made it to be. That still doesn’t give society and straight people the right to bash the minds of homosexuals because they’re people too. I’ve seen Heath Ledger was an Australian born man who moved to the U.S. to pursue acting. He has been a great aspect to the world of theatre. I’ve seen a couple of the movies he has starred in, like The Patriot and The Dark Knight. I generally like him as an actor.
    Chelsea Ogugua
    E Block

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  10. I have never seen Brokeback Mountain but I've definitively heard of it and what happens in the movie and what the movie is about. But, what I do know is who Heath Ledger is. He was an amazing actor who died at a very young age. As a actor myself I liked his methods and enjoyed watching his performances. The movie I saw him in was The Dark Knight. although this role was not as any role he had ever played before I believe there will be no actor more perfect to play the joker. In all he was an amazing actor.
    Brian Salinetro
    E block

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  11. I have seen the movie Brokeback Mountain, and I thought it was good when I saw it. At the time it came out it sparked a lot of controversy because it was very blunt and to the point about same sex relationships. Heath Ledger was an amazing actor that could play any difficult role easily and he would make it into something more than just a character. I’ve seen most of his movies including the dark knight in which he played the joker better than anyone else could have ever done.

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  13. Kim Charles (E-Blk) No I haven't seen Brokeback mountain. I haven't even heard of it so I wouldn't know what my reaction would be when it first came out. Realizing that it is a same sex movie, I don't think it would be a movie that i would be interested in. Matter of fact, I would actually disapprove it. Health Ledger is an Australian actor that appreaed in serveral films. He was found dead at the age of 28 in his apartment. He also had a fiancee that played his wife in one of his movies. Wow, I actually did watch a movie in which Health starred in, now that I have googled his face. I didn't even know he was dead until now. May God allow his soul to rest in peace.

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  14. (E:Block):No, I have never seen the movie, Brokeback Mountain. I haven’t even heard of the film until now actually. When the movie first came out, it was criticized harshly by critics and viewers everywhere because of the depiction of a same-sex relationship. Even theaters refused to show the film, and backed down from considerable profits by not showing it. I personally think that a marriage should be between a man and woman, but I’m not in any way a homo-phobe. Heath Ledger was an actor who was born on April 4, 1979, in Perth, Australia. He died on January 22, 2008 at the age of 28, because of an accidental overdose on prescription drugs. I have sadly just seen two and a half other movies with Heath Ledger in it; 10 things I hate about you, some of Dark Knight, and The Patriot, thanks to this class.

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  15. I have never seen the movie Brokeback Mountain. From reading this article, it looks like a very interesting and well plotted movie. My first reaction when this movie came out is that it must be amazing because Heath Ledger was the main role of Brokeback Mountain. Heath Ledger was one the most inspiring, hardworking actors of all time. He was an Australian television and film actor. After performing roles in Australian television and film during the 1990s, Ledger moved to the United States in 1998 to develop his film career. His work encompassed nineteen films, including 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), The Patriot (2000), A Knight's Tale (2001), Brokeback Mountain (2005), and The Dark Knight (2008). In addition to acting, he produced and directed music videos and aspired to be a film director.
    Gabriela Sanchez
    G Block

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  16. I have seen Brokeback Mountain. I personally like the movie because I believe that two people should be able to be together no matter what they are or what anyone says. People didnt agree with what the movie represented because they did not agree in same sex marriage. Yes, I have seen other movies that Heath Ledger has been in & one of my favorites this one. Another is the Dark Knight & A Knights Tale. He was a truly amazing actor. It was such a shame that he Past away at suh a young age.

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  17. Heath Ledger is one of the most talented and award-winning actors of his time. I am a great fan of many of his performances such as the Dark Night and Jarhead; I, however, have not seen Brokeback Mountain and do not plan on doing so. While hearing it is a great movie I know it involves homosexual acts which I do not support. On another not I think his performance as 'The Joker' in Dark Night was one of the most amazing acting jobs of all time ! It is a shame he passed away; We lost one of the best...

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  18. I have never seen or heard about this movie.. this is the first time i have and while i was reading about this movie online it seems good/ different because When this movie came out many people were shocked and considered it “gay.” yes this was about two men in a relationship, but we shouldn’t necessarily say it in a rude way because when people say that, they usually mean it in a wrong way. Not many people would agree with the storyline, but their are people of the same sex that have a relationship and we who arent should be used to seeing that because no matter what they are human beings and we shouldnt judge others. Heath Ledger he was born on April 4, 1979, in Perth, Australia and scenes he was little he likes the TV, his first time in Hollywood was on 1999’s with the movie 10 Things I Hate About You.He also played a wonderful role in the movie a knight's tale,and the dark knight, and yes i have seen those movies.He was a great man and actor!

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  19. Karina Llerena (E Block)
    No, I have not seen the movie Brokeback Mountain.Heath Ledger he was born on April 4, 1979, in Perth, Australia.He was a great actor that died at a very young age, and he was able to play any difficult role easily and he would make it into something more than just a character. Yes, i have seen the movie the Dark Knight.

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  20. In 2005, Brokeback mountain was premiered in New York City. The movie is about two cowboys who meet as sheep herders in Wyoming in 1963 and began a relationship that lasted for 20 years. I have not seen Brokeback mountain. The reactions about the movie were mixed. The movie did well at the box office and won several awards, but the some grouped criticized the movie for its portrayal of a same sex relationship. Heath Ledger was an actor born on April 4,1979, in Australia. He appeared in Australian television as a teenager and had his first Hollywood hit in 1999. On January 22, 2008, Heath, then 28 years old, was found dead in his New York City apartment due to an overdose on prescription drugs. I have seen a movie that Ledger starred in. I saw Batman and Ledger played Batman's nemesis, The Joker, which was one of his best works.
    F- Block

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  21. No I have not seen broke back mountain, I am not a fan of the movie. I think its boring and its personally not my interest in watching 2 guys being in a couple. The reaction for everyone was that the movie was gay, because it was based on 2 guys that were homosexual working on a farm, and it seemed really boring and not interesting.heath ledger was an amazing actor, for his time and did a lot of movies, he starred in batman as the joker, and many other favorites. And yes I have seen him in many movies.

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  22. I’ve never seen Brokeback Mountain. This movie, starting Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, is about two cowboys who begin a relationship which last two decades. This movie premiered on Dec 6, 2005 in NYC and won eight academy award nominations. Although, people criticized the movie because of the “same-sex relationship,” I don’t think people should be criticized because of their sexuality. When I first heard of this movie, I was shocked to hear Heath Ledger was playing the main role because he's a great actor. He’s an Australian actor who died at age 28 from prescription-drug overdose. I’ve seen several movies of him including Dark Knight and 10 Things I hate about you.
    (F block)

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  23. I have never seen the movie Brokeback Mountain. After reading this article, I now know that this movie is based on two men who are cowboys and meet as sheep herders in Wyoming. It begins with the two men having a romantic relationship which lasts two decades. When this movie came out, the reaction of some people was kind of shocking because of the fact that it is based on two men having a relationship. Heath Ledger is a phenomenal actor who played the main role in Brokeback Mountain. This movie marked his first Academy Award nominated performance. He was born on April 4, 1979 in Australia and unfortunately passed away at the age of 28 from a drug overdose. He has starred in many movies, but the ones I remember seeing is 10 Things I Hate About You and The Dark Knight.
    -Jalenni Cruz (E Block)

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  24. I have never seen Brokeback mountain. I have not seen the movie so I have no opinion. When the movie first came out, everyone liked the money. I was a big hit, but some theaters did not approve of it because of the same sex relationship. Some theaters even refused to play the movie in their thearter. Heath Ledge was an award winning actor who died from a drug overdose. I have seen many movies including Ledger, but the most memorable one to me was The Dark Knight. His role was such an intense character. He was a great actor and is missed greatly today.

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  25. I personally have never seen Brokeback Mountain, but I have definitely heard of it and its interesting plot. The movie was critically acclaimed upon its release, garnering multiple academy award nominations, including one for best actor, for its lead role; Heath Ledger. I have seen few of his movies, the two being Dark Knight and The Patriot, and from what I've seen he's an incredible actor, with some strange methods which, sadly, may have been responsible for his death. One of the most disappointment things too, was the fact that he was attempting to get away from his typical roles, and prove that he could play some crazier roles such as The Joker, he proved himself successful, only to die shortly after. I would have liked to see what else he was able to do acting wise.

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  26. Gabriel Gonzalez
    Mr. Morales
    E-Block
    12/8/11
    No, I have never seen Brokeback Mountain. Brokeback Mountain did well at the box-office. Even though Brokeback Mountain did very well, some groups criticized Brokeback Mountain for its portrayal of a same-sex relationship, and one theater owner in Utah actually pulled the movie from his theatre, even though he had an agreement to show the film. Heath Ledger was one of the two main leads in Brokeback Mountain. I have only seen one movie that Heath Ledger has been in, and it was his second to last movie before he died, (because technically the last one was The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus), The Dark Knight. I thought his portrayal of the Joker was great, but Jack Nicholson did an amazing job in Tim Burton’s Batman.

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  27. I have not seen the movie Brokeback Mountain. The plot is about a pair of cowboys who meet as sheep herders in Wyoming in 1963 and begin a romantic relationship. I am not against same sex relationships, for I believe everyone is entitled to do as they please, but I would have never gone to see this movie. The movie was greatly criticized for the same sex relationship it portrayed, but at the same time earned eight Academy Award nominations. Born on April 4, 1979, in Australia, this was Heath Ledger’s first Academy Award- nominated film. I have never seen any of the films he has starred in, but I’m sure he was a good actor. -Tierra EBlock

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  28. No I have never seen Brokeback Mountain. But from what I read, this film is about to cowboys whom form a romantic relationship once they meet as sheep herders. When this film came out it struck a lot of controversy because it was about two gay men. Some people thought that this film was inappropriate. I have nothing against gay people because their sexuality is their choice. I would have never gone to see this film. Heath Ledger is Australian movie star and has starred in other movies such as, 10 Things I Hate About You and The Dark Knight as the Joker. I have seen his other films.

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  29. Jessica Mulet
    E block

    No, unfortunately i have not seen the movie Brokeback Mountain but i know many people that have seen it. This movie is about two cowboys that meet and eventually become emotionally involved in a relationship. The film was based on a 1997 short story by Annie Proulx. It was a hit in the box office, it had eight Academy Award nominations. It also got three oscars. Brokeback Mountain marked Heath Ledger's first Academy Award nomination. Heath Ledger is a great actor in my opinion. He has starred in The Patriot, Monsters Ball and A Knights Tale. He died soonly after completing his role in The Dark Knight. Heath Ledger died from an accidental drug overdose.

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  30. I have never seen this movie. When the movie first came out it was nominated for many academy awards including best actor, best supporting actor and many more. But at the same time many people were repulsed by the two male cowboys and the love affair. Born on April 4, 1979 in Australia Heath Ledger first started out doing shows on Australian TV then went on to do his first big screen play "10 things i hate about you". He was found dead in his N.Y. city apartment from an accidental over dose of prescription drugs. i have seen his films including: Batman: the dark knight.

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  31. I have never seen Brokeback mountain but reading about it makes me want to go rent the movie and watch it. I think it’s great that they made a movie with that informs people that this is the reality of many gay people out there in the world. The movie is touching and a real eye-opener to all the ignorant people that don’t educate themselves about the reality of gay relationships and marriage. When the movie first came out many people we’re disgusted and against it from either personal or religious beliefs. Heath Ledger was an Australian television and film actor. He featured and worked in nineteen films. His most famous film by far was The Dark Night in which he played as the Joker. It’s because of him I love that movie so much. Sadly he died on January 22, 2008 due to supposedly an overdose; leaving behind a baby girl and wife.
    -Kafe Gucciardo(:

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  32. Amanda RIos (G BLOCK)
    I've seen Brokeback Mountain. In my opinion this movie is just showing what wold have happened in two men fell in love during this time back in the day. A lot of people were shocked when this movie came out because it is about a gay couple. But sometimes people can be ignorant in my opinion. I have seen other movies with Heath Ledger. He was an incredible actor in The Dark knight when he played the Joker. He did an amazing job portraying the Joker. I use "was" because Ledger died in 2008 because of an overdose. I thought that was very sad because of the fact that he was such a good actor.

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  33. This article is about the multiple award-winning movie, "Brokeback Mountain." The movie is about a story of two cowboys who fall in love and endure a very long relationship that lasts several decades. I have never seen the movie myself, but it seems interesting enough just so that I may actually watch it one day. I do not have any opinions on the movie due to the fact that I have not seen it. I don't have any reactions either. Heath Ledger is an award-winning actor and the main actor in the movie "Brokeback Mountain." No, I have not, but I really want to watch "The Dark Knight," in which he stars as a supporting actor.

    - Sebastian S | F Block

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  34. I have seen the movie Brokeback Mountain and it was very interesting. My opinion about the movie is that there has never been a film like this one in anyway and the director is a compelling person willing to stray from the mainstream and not worry about controversy. Reaction to the movie was both positive and negative but mostly positive. Heath Ledger was the leading actor of the movie and an actor in many other movies. He died on January 22, 2008 after recently finishing shooting for the movie the Dark Knight as the Joker. Yes I have seen movies he has starred in including Brokeback Mountain and the Dark Knight.

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  35. I have not seen Brokeback Mountain, but I do know that the story is base on two cowboys that meet each other in Wyoming and being a romantic relationship that last for decades. The movie won many awards and in addition did well in the box-office. However some groups criticized the movie for its portrayal of a same sex relationship. The movie was starring Heath Ledger, who won best actor because of the movie. He was born on April 4, 1979 in Australia and died on January 22, 2008 due to prescription drug overdose. The only other movie that I have seen Heath Ledger in is The Dark Knight.

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  36. Honestly I have not seen Brokebsck Mountain. But I have heard many refrences toward the movie. My opnion of this movie when it first came out is that it must have been really amazing because it made Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger really famous. But not everyone thought the movie was great because it was about homosexual realtionships. Even a theatre manager in Utah refused the to play the movie because of the theme of homosexuals.I have seen Heath Ledger in the Dark Knight playing the character The Joker (and might i say he was great in that movie).

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  37. No, I have not watched the movie Brokeback Mountain. I have seen the opening credits so far but, I have seen other "homosexual life[style]" movies. Heath Ledger, one of the main actors in Brokeback is an award nominee and winner actor. He was born in Australia in April 1979. He acted in many films in Australia but his first Hollywood hit was in 1999’s 10 Things I Hate About You (which I have seen). He also acted in Patriot and Monster’s Ball (both 2000) before headlining a string of poorly reviewed box-office duds, including A Knight’s Tale (2001), The Four Feathers (2002), Ned Kelly (2003), The Brothers Grimm (2003) and many more. I have also watched his infamous role as the Joker in The Dark Knight (2007). In 2008 Ledger died of a drug over dose.

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  38. Brokeback Mountain was a film that made a big impact on society . I personally have never seen the movie , but i have only heard good things . Its an original and interesting love story between two cowboys the lasts for decades. Heith Ledger is an amazing actor and takes any role he does and makes it a box office amazement . Ive seen him in The Patriot , The Dark Knight , A Knights Tale and Ten things I hate about you . He did a tremondous job in each of these movies and died a tragic death .

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