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James Balmont

@jbalmont.bsky.social
254 followers 190 following 105 posts

*probably posting about ambient music and foreign films* Music supervisor @ Nower Studio Writer @ BBC Culture, Time Out, Dazed, AnOther etc. Musician @ Swim Deep

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Reposted by James Balmont
James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Ahead of his return to the @barbican.bsky.social for a new theatre adaptation of a Haruki Murakami "cyberpunk" novel, I interview Battle Royale star Tatsuya Fujiwara about his career in film and on stage for @wallpapermag.bsky.social >>> www.wallpaper.com/art/tatsuya-...
wallpaper.com
Battle Royale’s Tatsuya Fujiwara returns to Barbican stage: behind the scenes
The star on appearing in the stage adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s cult 1985 novel, 'Hard-Boiled Wonderland and End of the World'
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Ahead of his return to the @barbican.bsky.social for a new theatre adaptation of a Haruki Murakami "cyberpunk" novel, I interview Battle Royale star Tatsuya Fujiwara about his career in film and on stage for @wallpapermag.bsky.social >>> www.wallpaper.com/art/tatsuya-...
wallpaper.com
Battle Royale’s Tatsuya Fujiwara returns to Barbican stage: behind the scenes
The star on appearing in the stage adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s cult 1985 novel, 'Hard-Boiled Wonderland and End of the World'
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Tonight!
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Reposted by James Balmont
James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
TOMORROW (MON) - A double bill of absurd Japanese horror-comedy obscurities screening at @thenickelcinema.bsky.social from 18:00 w/ myself and @thirdwindowfilms.com: CRAZY LIPS: thenickel.co.uk/screening/667 GORE FROM OUTER SPACE: thenickel.co.uk/screening/668 COME THRU!
thenickel.co.uk
CRAZY LIPS (28 Sept) | The Nickel
After her brother is accused of murdering four people, Satomi Kurahashi desperately searches for a way to prove his innocence. She turns to a mysterious psychic for help, but the investigation quickly...
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
TOMORROW (MON) - A double bill of absurd Japanese horror-comedy obscurities screening at @thenickelcinema.bsky.social from 18:00 w/ myself and @thirdwindowfilms.com: CRAZY LIPS: thenickel.co.uk/screening/667 GORE FROM OUTER SPACE: thenickel.co.uk/screening/668 COME THRU!
thenickel.co.uk
CRAZY LIPS (28 Sept) | The Nickel
After her brother is accused of murdering four people, Satomi Kurahashi desperately searches for a way to prove his innocence. She turns to a mysterious psychic for help, but the investigation quickly...
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Reposted by James Balmont
James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Excited to be back at @thenickelcinema.bsky.social w/ @thirdwindowfilms.com on SEP 28th for a DOUBLE-BILL of obscure Y2K J-Horror works...! CRAZY LIPS: thenickel.co.uk/screening/667 GORE FROM OUTER SPACE: thenickel.co.uk/screening/668
thenickel.co.uk
CRAZY LIPS (28 Sept) | The Nickel
After her brother is accused of murdering four people, Satomi Kurahashi desperately searches for a way to prove his innocence. She turns to a mysterious psychic for help, but the investigation quickly...
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Reposted by James Balmont
James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
To mark the new @thirdwindowfilms.com releases of two Japanese horror comedy relics, I interviewed legendary J-Horror producer Takashige Ichise (Ring) and director Hirohisa Sasaki for LWL to learn why some of Japan’s Y2K horror experiments went global and others… didn’t lwlies.com/in-conversat...
lwlies.com
The forgotten hybrids of Japan’s Y2K horror boom
With Crazy Lips and Gore From Outer Space resurfacing, we speak to J-Horror pioneer Takashige Ichise about the unruly side of Japan’s Y2K horror boom and…
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Reposted by James Balmont
Third Window Films @thirdwindowfilms.com · 24/09/2026
Legendary J-horror producer Taka Ichise and director Hirohisa Sasaki were interviewed @jbalmont.bsky.social in @lwlies.com to talk about Crazy Lips + Gore from Outer Space! lwlies.com/in-conversat...
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
To mark the new @thirdwindowfilms.com releases of two Japanese horror comedy relics, I interviewed legendary J-Horror producer Takashige Ichise (Ring) and director Hirohisa Sasaki for LWL to learn why some of Japan’s Y2K horror experiments went global and others… didn’t lwlies.com/in-conversat...
lwlies.com
The forgotten hybrids of Japan’s Y2K horror boom
With Crazy Lips and Gore From Outer Space resurfacing, we speak to J-Horror pioneer Takashige Ichise about the unruly side of Japan’s Y2K horror boom and…
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
11 days from now at THE NICKEL…!
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Ahead of the world premiere of Korean-British horror production 'Nervous' at @frightfest.bsky.social this weekend, I caught up with director Abner Pastoll and Bong Joon-ho muse Ko Asung (The Host/Snowpiercer) for @anothermag.com www.anothermag.com/design-livin...
anothermag.com
Nervous: A Nerve-Shredding Horror Haunted by Korean Cinema’s Old New Wave
Director Abner Pastoll and Ko Asung – star of Bong Joon Ho classics The Host and Snowpiercer – on the making of their fraught psychological thriller, which has its world premiere at FrightFest this we...
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
This week, for @anothermag.com, I caught up with architect and author Naomi Pollock to discuss the "vanished" capsule hotels, sci-fi petrol stations, and utopian gymnasiums of her @thamesandhudson.bsky.social coffee table book 'Vanishing Japan': www.anothermag.com/design-livin...
anothermag.com
Five Vanished Architectural Marvels from 20th Century Japan
A new book from Thames & Hudson remembers some of Japan’s most remarkable modern buildings, whose extraordinary designs couldn’t defy their inevitable extinction in the face of frequent natural and ma...
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Excited to be back at @thenickelcinema.bsky.social w/ @thirdwindowfilms.com on SEP 28th for a DOUBLE-BILL of obscure Y2K J-Horror works...! CRAZY LIPS: thenickel.co.uk/screening/667 GORE FROM OUTER SPACE: thenickel.co.uk/screening/668
thenickel.co.uk
CRAZY LIPS (28 Sept) | The Nickel
After her brother is accused of murdering four people, Satomi Kurahashi desperately searches for a way to prove his innocence. She turns to a mysterious psychic for help, but the investigation quickly...
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Thanks for another great night at the most phantasmagoric cinema around! I’ll be back again to introduce some more @thirdwindowfilms.com gems at @thenickelcinema.bsky.social in September…
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Reposted by James Balmont
James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
GEMINI sold out, still some tickets left for KILLING tonight!!
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
GEMINI sold out, still some tickets left for KILLING tonight!!
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Reposted by James Balmont
James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Last call for these two under-seen Shinya Tsukamoto highlights! TUESDAY, 4th AUG at @thenickelcinema.bsky.social, with introductions by myself, and in conjunction with @thirdwindowfilms.com: 18:00 GEMINI thenickel.co.uk/screening/559 20:15 KILLING thenickel.co.uk/screening/558 Don’t miss ‘em!
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Last call for these two under-seen Shinya Tsukamoto highlights! TUESDAY, 4th AUG at @thenickelcinema.bsky.social, with introductions by myself, and in conjunction with @thirdwindowfilms.com: 18:00 GEMINI thenickel.co.uk/screening/559 20:15 KILLING thenickel.co.uk/screening/558 Don’t miss ‘em!
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Reposted by James Balmont
James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Tuesday, 4th August: i'll be introducing 2x lesser-seen Shinya Tsukamoto (Tetsuo: Iron Man) CLASSICS at @thenickelcinema.bsky.social w/ @thirdwindowfilms.com. 18:00 GEMINI >> thenickel.co.uk/screening/559 20:15 KILLING >> thenickel.co.uk/screening/558 COME THRU!
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Tuesday, 4th August: i'll be introducing 2x lesser-seen Shinya Tsukamoto (Tetsuo: Iron Man) CLASSICS at @thenickelcinema.bsky.social w/ @thirdwindowfilms.com. 18:00 GEMINI >> thenickel.co.uk/screening/559 20:15 KILLING >> thenickel.co.uk/screening/558 COME THRU!
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Reposted by James Balmont
James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
I'm back at @thenickelcinema.bsky.social on Aug 4th to introduce two of my favourite Shinya Tsukamoto (Tetsuo: Iron Man) films w/ @thirdwindowfilms.com! Come see GEMINI and KILLING: thenickel.co.uk
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Reposted by James Balmont
Third Window Films @thirdwindowfilms.com · 25/07/2026
Tons of great Japanese films this August in London's coolest new hangout The Nickel Cinema. Aug 4 - Shinya Tsukamoto double bill of GEMINI + KILLING hosted @jbalmont.bsky.social Aug 27 - KAMIKAZE GIRLS / MERMAID LEGEND Aug 30 - LOVE EXPOSURE thenickel.co.uk
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Reposted by James Balmont
James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
This wicked new Chusei Sone double-bill from @thirdwindowfilms.com - Blow the Night & Scars of the Sun - features my new video essay on juvenile delinquency, biker gangs and punk music in '80s Japan on disc 1. Had such a great time working on this! Out July 27th: thirdwindowfilms.com/films/scars-...
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
This wicked new Chusei Sone double-bill from @thirdwindowfilms.com - Blow the Night & Scars of the Sun - features my new video essay on juvenile delinquency, biker gangs and punk music in '80s Japan on disc 1. Had such a great time working on this! Out July 27th: thirdwindowfilms.com/films/scars-...
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
I'm back at @thenickelcinema.bsky.social on Aug 4th to introduce two of my favourite Shinya Tsukamoto (Tetsuo: Iron Man) films w/ @thirdwindowfilms.com! Come see GEMINI and KILLING: thenickel.co.uk
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Wow, what a great reminder to revisit the classic that is 'Amores Perros' for first time since my university Film Studies course...! Thanks MUBI, see you on July 10th!
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
What a privilege to be invited to appear on @nhk-news.bsky.social (the Japanese BBC) this month to discuss the newfound popularity of Masayoshi Takanaka in the West and the wider explosion of interest in '70s and '80s Japanese pop music! 🎸 Check out the full featurette via NHK!
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
What a privilege to be invited to appear on @nhk-news.bsky.social (the Japanese BBC) this month to discuss the newfound popularity of Masayoshi Takanaka in the West and the wider explosion of interest in '70s and '80s Japanese pop music! 🎸 Check out the full featurette via NHK!
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Reposted by James Balmont
James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Our new Swim Deep album 'Hum' is out this weekend! Recommended in @theguardian.com today; 9/10 - NME; 9/10 - @indieisnotagenre.com; 8/10 - @readdork.com; Go stream/buy it!
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Our new Swim Deep album 'Hum' is out this weekend! Recommended in @theguardian.com today; 9/10 - NME; 9/10 - @indieisnotagenre.com; 8/10 - @readdork.com; Go stream/buy it!
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Reposted by James Balmont
James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
A few weeks ago at Far East Film Festival in Italy, I had the pleasure of interviewing Japan's greatest living actor, Koji Yakusho, about everything from Cure and Shall We Dance to 13 Assassins and Perfect Days. Read the whole thing over at @mubinotebook! mubi.com/en/notebook/...
mubi.com
Always Proceed and Go Forward: Koji Yakusho Reflects on His Career at 70
The iconic Japanese actor delves into his origins, breakthrough in “Shall We Dance?” and work with auteurs ranging from Kurosawa to Wenders.
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Reposted by James Balmont
James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
To mark the opening of Kyotographie's new photography exhibition at Japan House, I interviewed "grandaddy of Japanese photography" Kawada Kikuji and Iwane Ai about works from the ashes of Hiroshima to the volcanic cemeteries of Hawaii www.anothermag.com/art-photogra... @anothermag.com
anothermag.com
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
A few weeks ago at Far East Film Festival in Italy, I had the pleasure of interviewing Japan's greatest living actor, Koji Yakusho, about everything from Cure and Shall We Dance to 13 Assassins and Perfect Days. Read the whole thing over at @mubinotebook! mubi.com/en/notebook/...
mubi.com
Always Proceed and Go Forward: Koji Yakusho Reflects on His Career at 70
The iconic Japanese actor delves into his origins, breakthrough in “Shall We Dance?” and work with auteurs ranging from Kurosawa to Wenders.
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
To mark the opening of Kyotographie's new photography exhibition at Japan House, I interviewed "grandaddy of Japanese photography" Kawada Kikuji and Iwane Ai about works from the ashes of Hiroshima to the volcanic cemeteries of Hawaii www.anothermag.com/art-photogra... @anothermag.com
anothermag.com
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Reposted by James Balmont
Third Window Films @thirdwindowfilms.com · 26/05/2026
NR: Chusei Sone Double-Bill of SCARS OF THE SUN 太陽のきずあと BLOW THE NIGHT 夜をぶっとばせ First release of either film outside of Japan! Out July 27 - Order @terracottadist.bsky.social shop.terracottadistribution.com/products/sca... @jaspersharp.bsky.social @jbalmont.bsky.social @balanescumiriam.bsky.social
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
TONIGHT! 9 tickets left
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
The UK’s grassroots music venues are facing major challenges in 2026. Here are 42 spaces well worth your support - as chosen by myself for Time Out with the help of @slowdiveofficial.bsky.social, Bombay Bicycle Club, @cocteauofficial.bsky.social, Arlo Parks and more. www.timeout.com/uk/music/the...
timeout.com
The UK’s 42 greatest independent music venues
The best British indie venues, chosen by a musician who’s played ’em all.
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Reposted by James Balmont
Third Window Films @thirdwindowfilms.com · 14/05/2026
Double-bill of (very different) Japanese youth films on May 18th in London @thenickelcinema.bsky.social with Toshiaki Toyoda's PORNOSTAR and Nobuhiko Obayashi's HIS MOTORBIKE, HER ISLAND playing back to back in a night hosted @jbalmont.bsky.social thenickel.co.uk
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
The UK’s grassroots music venues are facing major challenges in 2026. Here are 42 spaces well worth your support - as chosen by myself for Time Out with the help of @slowdiveofficial.bsky.social, Bombay Bicycle Club, @cocteauofficial.bsky.social, Arlo Parks and more. www.timeout.com/uk/music/the...
timeout.com
The UK’s 42 greatest independent music venues
The best British indie venues, chosen by a musician who’s played ’em all.
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Reposted by James Balmont
James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Completing a Japanese juvenile delinquency double-bill at @thenickelcinema.bsky.social on Monday, May 18th: Nobuhiko Obayashi (Hausu)’s HIS MOTORBIKE, HER ISLAND plays at 20:15 via @thirdwindowfilms.com Tix: thenickel.co.uk/screening/352
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Can’t wait to screen one of my favourite opening shots of all-time at @thenickelcinema.bsky.social next week! Toshiaki Toyoda (Blue Spring)’s PORNOSTAR plays at 18:00 on Monday, May 18th via @thirdwindowfilms.com. Tix: thenickel.co.uk/screening/351
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Thanks @umbrellaent.bsky.social for these contributor copies of the ‘Uzumaki’ and ‘The Elusive Kinji Fukasaku’ box sets! Find my Junji Ito essay in the accompanying booklet for the former & my video essay on Fukasaku’s revolutionary crime cinema on disc 1 of the latter 🌀 >>> umbrellaent.com.au
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Completing a Japanese juvenile delinquency double-bill at @thenickelcinema.bsky.social on Monday, May 18th: Nobuhiko Obayashi (Hausu)’s HIS MOTORBIKE, HER ISLAND plays at 20:15 via @thirdwindowfilms.com Tix: thenickel.co.uk/screening/352
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Can’t wait to screen one of my favourite opening shots of all-time at @thenickelcinema.bsky.social next week! Toshiaki Toyoda (Blue Spring)’s PORNOSTAR plays at 18:00 on Monday, May 18th via @thirdwindowfilms.com. Tix: thenickel.co.uk/screening/351
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
At Far East Film Festival, Udine.
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Wewantsounds @wewantsounds.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Great #meikokaji profile in the @telegraph.co.uk by James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social 🔥🔥 "The Japanese 'first lady of vengeance' who inspired Kill Bill. Today Kaji's influence can be seen in all kinds of Western media" www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2026/0...
telegraph.co.uk
The Japanese ‘first lady of vengeance’ who inspired Kill Bill
Meiko Kaji’s headstrong action heroes have shaped films from Star Wars to Aliens – and earned adoration from Tarantino
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
What an incredible honour to interview Lady Snowblood herself - Meiko Kaji - during her first NYC visit in decades. Thanks so much to @japansociety.org, @wewantsounds.bsky.social & @arrowvideo.bsky.social for helping bring this dream feature to life! www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2026/0...
telegraph.co.uk
The Japanese ‘first lady of vengeance’ who inspired Kill Bill
Meiko Kaji’s headstrong action heroes have shaped films from Star Wars to Aliens – and earned adoration from Tarantino
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James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
What an incredible honour to interview Lady Snowblood herself - Meiko Kaji - during her first NYC visit in decades. Thanks so much to @japansociety.org, @wewantsounds.bsky.social & @arrowvideo.bsky.social for helping bring this dream feature to life! www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2026/0...
telegraph.co.uk
The Japanese ‘first lady of vengeance’ who inspired Kill Bill
Meiko Kaji’s headstrong action heroes have shaped films from Star Wars to Aliens – and earned adoration from Tarantino
03114
James Balmont @jbalmont.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Blue Spring - SOLD OUT Nine Souls - just a few tickets left ✨
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