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Moriarty’s One Thing I Love Today! The French Horror Film À L'INTÉRIEUR!!
Hey, everyone. “Moriarty” here.
My wife asked me the other day to show her an older horror film “that’s actually scary and not just gross,” and I get her point. Since gore became part of the horror landscape, it seems like most filmmakers equate “gross” with “scary,” and that’s rarely the case. Gore can be fun, especially when it’s created by someone with a sense of humor, but when it’s a crutch to mask a really shitty film, it’s boring. It seems like it’s a pretty rare thing when you get filmmakers who are able to set up sophisticated scares and also deliver lots and lots of red, but it appears that Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury are indeed that uncommon blend.
As a result, I highly recommend you track down À L'INTÉRIEUR as soon as possible. It hits stores today on DVD thanks to Dimension’s EXTREME label, which is one of those words that has been completely devalued by marketing chimps. Normally, if something says EXTREME (or XTREME if you’re really sporty) on it, you can count on it being anything BUT extreme. However, in this case, Dimension is right. À L'INTÉRIEUR is balls-to-the-wall for most of its running time, and this is one of those cases where I can see why the MPAA didn’t even bother trying to give this thing an R-rating. Why should they? There’s no amount of cutting that would leave a coherent film while still fitting comfortably into the theatrical ratings system, so why not just put the movie out uncut and unrated?
Alysson Paradis stars as Sarah, a woman who is facing the last days of pregnancy alone thanks to a car crash that killed her husband and almost caused her to lose her baby. She’s practically a ghost as she moves through her daily life, counting down to Christmas, which is her due date. On Christmas Eve, she’s at home by herself when a strange woman comes to the door and asks to come in and use the phone. She claims there’s an emergency, but Sarah isn’t buying it, and within moments, the woman drops the act. She tells Sarah she wants her baby, and she won’t leave without it.
And when I say “strange woman,” I am being precise in the use of the term.
I remember when I first saw BETTY BLUE back in the mid-‘80s. I thought Beatrice Dalle was hot in the film, due in no small part to the nearly-constant nudity and sex, although she struck me as weird right from the start. As the movie wore on, though, I stopped thinking she was hot as the weird got more intense, and then finally just settled on “totally fucking insane.” Dalle has had a troubled off-screen life, and her work in films like TROUBLE EVERY DAY only further underlines just how bizarre she is. Finally, with this movie, she appears to have been given the perfect role, and as a result, she ends up becoming an iconic movie monster here as the woman without a name, a force of lunatic nature that is determined to end Sarah’s pregnancy one way or another. The last image we see of her in the film is one I won't forget, a classic conclusion to a great character.
What makes this film scary is the essential vulnerability of the situation and the unstoppable, unreasoning nature of the threat. This crazy woman offers no explanation for her actions, and there seems to be no end to what she’s willing to do in order to reach Sarah’s child. What makes the film disgusting is the way Bustillo and Maury practically push your face into the puddles of gore that they spill, and thanks to the phenomenal cinematography by Laurent Bares (check out the way this guy uses shadows in the film), it’s all quite beautiful, even when unspeakably upsetting. In particular, there’s a tableau in the film’s final moments that is one of the most wretched images I’ve ever seen in a movie, and it’s so beautifully composed you could hang it in a museum. The tension between those extremes is what kept me on the edge of my seat here. It’s pretty uncommon to find gorehounds who are also capable of crafting quiet moments and who find the beauty in even the worst moments of their film.
If you do go to rent or buy this, don’t get it confused with the also-worth-seeing INSIDE by Jeff Mahler. Jeff’s film, which stars Nicholas D’Agosto and Leighton Meester, is a psychological piece about a damaged kid who pushes himself into the lives of a family that may be more damaged than he is. It was released on DVD at the end of February, and will probably be on shelves right next to À L'INTÉRIEUR, provided you’re not at Blockbuster, where I assume they can’t even carry the French film at all.
For now, though, test yourself. My co-writer is unflappable during horror films, and he watches the most extreme stuff with a bemused smile on his face. With À L'INTÉRIEUR, he was groaning and hiding his eyes and even stood up out of his seat, freaked out at one point. It takes a lot to get through to him, and I’m hoping we see more original horror from Bustillo and Maury in the future, since they seem like they’re willing to gleefully smash taboos in their zeal to scare you and gross you out in equal measure.
Drew McWeeny, Los Angeles
Drew McWeeny, Los Angeles
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This movie looks FUCKED.
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I have noticed that you have a thing for movies that feature pregnancy or the effects of it. This one, "Pro-Life" and I'll never forget the conversation we had in AICN Chat about the post pregnancy depression in JOSHUA. Do I have a selective memory, or is there something in these films that speaks to you... something about the birthing process?
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so I'm thinking I might want to wait until after my wife gives birth to put this one on Netflix
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You confused me dude. You said there's a different film called Inside but it's not the French one. Yet you show the cover for 'Inside', not 'á l'intérieur'. Obviously I get that the same Marketing chimps that plaster EXTREME on something presuppose their demographic won't be reading subtitles and will run a mile from something they equate with 'arthouse', but you kept referring to it by the French name intimating that's what the DVD was called. And then talked about an English language film with ostensibly the same name. Maybe you shoulda shown BOTH covers, or told us they'd translated the French one's title on the cover.
Maybe I'm just stoopid... -
Hopefully Mori never shoot himself with drugs or a gun... But you know the old saying "You can't fake an understanding of hell, you have to know it too provide it in your art"
Take Chuck Palahniuk for example, and how he pretty much writes circles around most of the top lined scribes writting today (I hope all of his books are adapted to film) You can't tell me that, that guy doesn't have demons. That he doesn't live in some small way in that which he tells.
I find it funny that your Wife timed wanting to watch this film right near it's release date... Yes the press on this film is great. B-D said it was the scariest film they have ever seen- I think they have shitty taste, and kiss too much corporate ass, also that faggy as Marilyn Mansion wannabe guy with the mascara needs to wash his face and let his eyebrows grow out. I thank you for re reminding me about it's release. -
Maybe the French though they weren't actually needed as America considers itself the world's police whether warranted or not and have made such a mockery of the idea of United Nations Peacekeeping Force that they thought the U.S. (I'm talking government/military mind you) was being hypocritical.
Oh and ;) btw. -
on the Extreme thing, but I thought I still made a bit of a point about clarity and the way he referred to it. I guess I am 'stoopid'. Just waiting for someone to not get my deadpan joke about the French 'surrender monkeys' and go all jingoistic on my ass...
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...these guys aren't doing the Hellraiser remake? I read the original Hellraiser script recently and realised how bloody slight the story was. It was the monster effects and the raw, throbbing charm of Pinhead that made the movie.
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All your Fries are belong to us you Stoooopid Unwashed, Unshaven where you should be, Rotten Teefies, June Se Qua Twats. Date a bar or soap and some toothpaste every so often will ya! No matter how much you Douche- Your still a pussy. La Fin Absolue du Monde... Mori is French me things!
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Apr 14, 2008 7:51:03 PM CDT
Thinks not Things, damnit the drink is strong with dis one
by thepilgrim
Fuck! I'm too american to spell.
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cause they are fucking sexy, with irresistible accents.
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that was a bizzare movie. i remember seeing it when i was at school. great movie. . great poster for student wallpaper. i've wanted to bang crazy chicks ever since
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...what does everyone around here think IS a good, non-gory, but very scary horror movie? I was hoping you would mention some, Mori!I frequently tell people to check out 'Session 9' if they are looking for such a film, but that doesn't really register with everybody. Would love to know what some of you consider for a scary-not-gory flick?
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and thanks to IGN's review 2 weeks ago, it's #1 in my queue
http://www.blockbuster.com/catalog/movieDetails/371433 -
but I still fart in your general direction!
Oh and I meant to say to Mori thanks for bringing it/those flicks to our attention! Now back to talking 'bout French chicks... -
Hmmm...I don't know, man. I have such little faith in horror movies these days. But then again, it's never really been my favorite genre.After watching IRREVERSIBLE, I've become very wary of French directors. Talk about messed up! What is it with these guys?!?!
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...which is also one of the bloodiest I know. So yes, Gore and Suspense can go hand in hand.
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There is a line between 'regular' good classic horror (The Thing, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween) and subversive abhorrent extreme horror (Cannibal Holocaust, Guinea Pig). Since I'm interested in film and also morbidly fascinated by 'extreme' horror I've read about a lot of titles that sound absolutely God-awful. My morbid curiosity actually does have limits so I've never sought out films as 'rough' as I've read 'Guinea Pig' is, however I've heard there are worse. One of the films I've read about that looks and sounds absolutely terrible, so horrific it seems like it's a stain on film, is August Underground. Has anyone seen this (or 'these' since I've read they're a series)?
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Jeff Mahler version of Inside is on Netflicks finally. Double inside feature this week. So i guess not all movies that buy ads on this site suck after all?
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Can't believe they let this up there, but if you must see it: http://www.you tube.com/watch?feature=related&v=3D0jfLsQgNU. Remove the space!
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I'm also curious about this film and if it's even worth my time watching it.
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I've heard about this movie. Picking it up I am.
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I'm going to go hug my wife and sons now.
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This makes the 'Hostels' and 'Saws' look like old Barney
the Dinosaur videos.
In a lifetime of watching horror
films, Beatrice Dalle may be the
scariest goddamn woman I've ever
seen. Even before all hell breaks
loose in this film..(and I'm not
kidding, what breaks loose in this
film IS Hell on earth)..just the
shot of her standing outside the
big glass door is enough fodder for a year of nightmares. -
I just got done watching Inside. It seems the French are leading the way in original, edgy horror. This movie is as gut wrenching an experience as any i've had. With the success of PG-13 Prom Night remakes, Hollywood won't be doing anything with this kinda kick for quite sometime, if ever. I'm gonna keep an eye on French horror. Hopefully the studios will get the idea.
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If you like horror and you don;t buy this then you're making baby Jesus cry.
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of course it'll be there!
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It's intense, gory and well shot... but something just seems lacking, and false about it. I think it's the unnecessary and highly illogical bodycount. Otherwise though, good midnight madness showing.
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she's a nappy head bobbing up and down on my Herculean cock every chance she gets. BTW, she owes me $75 for last weekend's romp. Cash will be fine(thanks).
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Do you like this?
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and the Brits are the ones to go in all things horror. Watch and learn, Hollywood.
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and don't bother with this. It's frankly shit.
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I don't know what I expect from horror films these days, but this wasn't it. I'm not sure why it's so hard to make an effective horror film, but I haven't seen one in years.No, I wasn't offended by the content in this one, but it didn't elicit any measure of enjoyment, either. I didn't expect a frolicking good time, mind you, but this is the kind of horror film that just plays like pure visual static -- 78 minutes that could be spent watching something far more enriching. You know the type when you see them.I did enjoy the repeated shots of CGI Wonderbaby, though. Give that kid his own feature, people.
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In France, once again, this film was not a huge success.
It was just as well for all horror movies or fantasy, whether American or even french.
Such was the case of Eden Log (less than 40 rooms on more than 900 throughout the hexagon), The Interior, and later USA: Rob Zombie's Halloween and The Mist (for examples).
"France is not the country of Fantastic, as telling the magazine Mad Movies. -
Waow, "Google Language Tools" is really bad.
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Been a dad for about seven weeks now myself. One of the first things you'll discover is an extremely lowered tolerance when it comes to movies like this.
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Inside is there. i rented it this past week. i am permanently scarred. this is a must-see horror film.
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It's not, its just a bunch or sick and disturbing images of torture, that are used to produce a sickened response from the audience. Thats not real horror in my book. In my book thats called cheap and crappy filmmaking.
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All right, I guess I'll try to be nice. There was exactly one scene I found effective -- when Sarah nods off in front of the television, the audio slowly fades out, only returning when she's startled awake seconds later. This is a small phenomenon we've all been witness to, and it was the only thing that rang true in this mess.Eeuuuuugh.
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FOR CHRIST'S SAKE PEOPLE avoid this cinematic filth like the plague. It's not big, not clever- shoddily made and frankly you'd have more fun being tortured yourself. Look it up on IMDB- the biggest rave it gets is from someone that is mentally ill themselves. Good lord- that also goes for the Guinea Pig Films. Not one redeeming feature to it. I'd rather watch Hostel and I FUCKING HATE Hostel.
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It's for talentless hacks like Roth who are utterly incapable of generating any real tension so just make the audience wince through the graphic torture of the characters. This isn't hard to grasp, and not hard to do, but what the useless fuck fails to take into account is that you actually have to give a red fuck about the characters for the film to be described as remotely successful.
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Yeah I have no interest in seeing this. I already know the ending Spoiler... the villian cuts out the baby. Not something I feel the need to watch.
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Apr 15, 2008 6:32:29 AM CDT
Guys like Vern have managed to take the piss out of a phrase lik
by blunderbu55
...But honestly, if nothing else it's completely helpful in distinguishing the recent popular sub-genre of horror that prioritizes endless amounts of gore above everything else. It's on the decline, recently, but I don't know, I just don't get anything whatsoever out of films like "Hostel" -- no emotional reaction whatsoever, except the feeling that I could have spent my time with a film that was capable of evincing SOME sort of response from me. I may have been vitriolic about that kind of shit in the past, but by this point I just can't find a reason to care. It's easier to just ignore these films and move onto something that isn't completely unpleasant (not disturbing, just *boring*) to watch.
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Title limit cut-off. Whoops!
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Porn= excessive, gratuitous, and obscene. It doesn't have to be sexual. In the case of TP- it is perfectly apropros as if you remove the excessive scenes of torture from the film they become utterly redundant- The torture is both gratuitous and completely essential. If it was actual porn (alright, 70's porn) then it would be like removing the sex from the film and being left with a man with an unfeasible moustache turning up to fix a photocopier. Completely pointless.
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...who dislike the term "torture porn" seem to be the ones who enjoy watchng torture porn.
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Do you figure the people who appear in horror films like this are presented with the entire script before agreeing to sign on for the role? There are a few examples I can think of -- namely Brenda James in Slither and Lizzy Caplan in Cloverfield -- where the actresses had no idea what kind of embarrassing fates their characters would endure, having only been given a single scene from their respective scripts to work with during their auditions. I think if a director of such a film outright stated to prospective actress the goofy situations that their characters would have to endure, they'd have a much harder time of finding anyone who would agree to appear in their films. Hell, I *liked* both of those movies, but I still feel kind of bad for the actresses who were suckered into the roles.Anyhow, it just genuinely makes me wonder if the protagonist in this movie signed onto the role knowing that she'd have to sit around playing possum while someone fished a prosthetic baby out of her prosthetic pregnant stomach. Man, imagine how awkward the set must have been that day! You'd have the two directors playing out their most juvenile fantasies, directing a hilariously scarred Beatrice Dalle on the most *proper, convincing* way to fish out a foetus doll from a woman's stomach, while everyone else on set -- the grips, the camera operators -- squirms uncomfortably, wondering when they can go home and leave that freak show behind them. Whenever I imagine a scenario like that, I can't help but feel embarrassed for everyone involved.I guess it's comforting knowing that these guys are going to remake Hellraiser, though. They're perfectly suited for that sort of lame-brained material.
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The last few minutes were so fucking revolting that I actually turned away from the screen. I thought I'd seen it all and that nothing could phase me but that ending did the trick. Definitely worth checking out if you're a horror buff.
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I'm seriously a been there done that Horror Freak and these things were almost too much. I agree w/ Lost Jarv there isn't a redeeming quality to any of the AU films. But I will tell you this, these films will freak you out. If making people feel uneasy and leaving them w/ a truly sick feeling for days afterwards is the sign of a good horror movie then these movies are the gold standard. If nothing else you are scared to death that there are people running around out there that could even imagine, much less commit to film, this stuff.
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Thanks for the review.
I will see the film this weekend in a german cinema.
Always glad if these "small" films are shown on a big screen -
Yeah, as a shock to me, Blockbuster actually offered the uncut version of this film a week before it was released. Also, we will be hearing more from these directors as they are currently working on the Hellraiser remake with a "new" pinhead.
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Can anyone please help me remember the series of films (I believe there were 3) in which they portrayed the Japanese army doing strange experiments on the Chinese?
One scene sticks out in my mind - a woman in a cold chamber (below freezing) is constantly having water poured over her arms. Finally some soldiers take her into a room and submerge her arms in boiling water only to have her pull them out and they rip the skin off.
I can't for the life of me remember the series, but at one point I did own all of them on VHS.
Any help? -
That was the series.
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I wouldn't say I enjoyed the film, but I was impressed. It was scary and horrifically gory. I know a lot of people will lump this with torture porn shit like Hostel 2, but there's more to it than that. It looked incredible and Beatrice Dalle was terrifying. I think ultimately film and especially horror is subjective and this is one of those films that's going to cut the audience in half. Or at least stab them through the knee cap with a pair of scissors. Brutal. And that lost shot was excellent.
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has a lot of "holy fuck, i cant believe that just happened" moments. closer to HATCHET than HOSTEL, but without the humor. not so much torture porn, but quick brutal kills than are mostly original and unexpected.
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It reminded me of the first half of another French film called Irreversible, which was similarly relentless and had a few really nasty scenes. But then it brightens up and becomes something tragic and beautiful. Inside on the other hand...
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Apr 15, 2008 5:17:59 PM CDT
I was wondering when someone would mention Irreversable...
by half vader
I thought that was an amazing horror film in the extended sense of the word. And I found the conceit infinitely less of a novelty than Memento.
Usually I don't like to do what most talkbackers do when describing stuff - bring one down to show how great the other is. Here it's unavoidable. If you take away the conceit in Memento then you're actually left with a really obvious whodunnit that wouldn't cut the mustard against similar films.
Irreversable however for me out-trumps most horror films because as things get 'better' your sense of dread mounts in inverse proportion to the 'brightness', having the Godlike knowledge of what's to come.
Like the best horror movies, the physical violence is outdone by the mental effect. Best horror flick for me for ages (although I bet that's not the section it's in at the video store). Relentless is right. -
I canna spell.
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I just saw [REC] and the last ten minutes of that is as close as I've been recently to the good old days of WTFuck horror I experienced as a kid with stuff like Alien, American Werewolf and the Thing! I'm not saying the whole film is scary but the end was Exorcist fucking Creepy!
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Yeah that film's in a league of it's own. That one stayed with me for a long time. Inside isn't as good, but it blows away a lot of recent attempts at horror. The Orphanage though, now that's a scary film!
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My honest opinion is that, for what it is - basically a high concept but low-budget, slasher / gore movie - Inside is a stone cold fucking classic. For one it is genuinely extreme and shocking - this is the real fuckin' deal kiddies. Brutal, wince-inducing stuff on a par with Miike at his most sadistic. What elevates it though is its treatment as a whole: At its heart you have two stunningly committed performances from Mms Paradis and Dalle. Laurent Bares low-light cinematography is simply wonderful to behold (far better than his work on Gens' Frontiere(s), which he did immediately before Inside), in fact technically its rock solid - even the frequent in-utero CGI is never risible. Music is sparingly used, but super-effective, and Maury & Bustillo orchestrate things perfectly for its lean, mean 80 min run-time. Most of all though, Inside isn't an empty headed spectacle for sadists to jerk off to, its actually a REAL movie, unlike the witless shit perpetrated by transgressive "auteurs" like Vogel, Palumbo, and (lawl) Ol' Dave the Demon.
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the last 10-15 minutes of REC are up with there with some of the best horror films of all time. Incredible
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Hearing it was a new horror classic, I watched Inside. And ended up very angry. So here's an open letter to the filmmakers: http://vardulon.blogspot.com/2008/04/open-letter-to-makers-of-inside.html
Every beat of the film gets covered there, so consider it a spoiler. -
You're probably already aware, but here: http://preview.tinyurl.com/3hpp2o
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You're fucking wrong. (fucking)
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