As we mentioned previously, Geraldine Fernandez Ruiz is a Colombian woman who has been in the Internet’s spotlight for a few days. After stating that he had made more than 25,000 frames for Hayao Miyazaki’s new film and Studio Ghibli“Kimitachi wa Dou Ikiru ka (The Boy and the Heron)”which translates into more than half an hour of film, the media and social networks did not take long to make it viral.
Going first through admiration, then through uncertainty and now as a mockery of the Internet, Geraldine decided to distance herself from social networks by deactivating her Twitter account. And she couldn’t do anything else, since it didn’t take long for Internet users to investigate her and realize that her name does not appear in the credits of the film and that her illustrator portfolio includes projects that are not of her authorship.
However, after having become the mockery of the Internet and putting Colombia to shame in front of the entire world (the news has already made Japanese headlines), Today Geraldine has decided to break the silence and issue a press release where she apologized for everything that happened.but not before stating that “it is also largely the fault of the media that made it viral.”
His full statement wrote:
- I inform the public, the media, friends and family that there was never any participation in the illustration and design in the film ‘The Boy and the Heron’, directed by director Hayao Miyazaki.
- Everything that happened was the product of a bad exercise that I recognize and for which I am sorry. I consider that my love and admiration for the illustration technique and my profession as a designer encouraged me to comment in closed circles on my work as an illustrator of some scenes. Until then I recognize my mistake. The digital press contacted me and from there everything went viral, a situation that exceeded my expectations and placed me in the eye of the hurricane before the most important media in the country, influencer, and colleagues from the half.
- I acknowledge before opinion and the rest of the media that the situation got out of hand, and it was very difficult for me to retract it in those moments, thus impacting my friends, family, colleagues, bosses, co-workers, entities, and society. in general.
- Today, after exhaustive reflection, advice and accompaniment, I draw strength within myself to address you, and say that the truth must come to light, that everyone deserves to know it, it frees us and edifies us regardless of the consequences. This experience would affect anyone, I am no stranger to this situation, especially when the media considered the fourth estate did not act with the rigor of verifying the sources, and coupled with the fact that this wave took me by surprise, I did not have the necessary maturity to retract it and I had to continue with the version of having participated in said film.
- I reiterate that I feel sorry, I again express my apologies. I appreciate the support of some Internet users, bosses, friends, family, the company to which I am linked, they have all been moral support and strength at this time, which I am very grateful for.
- I would have liked to go viral for something real, but today we woke up in our country with several news that are important and that affect the integrity and daily life of Colombians, but this is not viral!
- I apologize, a thousand apologies for everything that happened, from now on I will work hard so that my professional talent as a designer precedes me, I believe that this is the formula to follow, far from controversies, with loyalty, simplicity, humility, kindness, and love for my profession.
And of course, his attitude of apologizing but at the same time blaming others did not go unnoticed:
- «I told lies, but it’s because of the media. Maybe it’s not that big of a deal, there are more important things, get over it and get busy».
- «Well, let’s move on. This girl needs to be forgotten and so that she can have the opportunity to get her life back on track and get a job. This court of inquisition was enough».
- «And how do we know that this statement is not also a farce?».
- «It is true that the news should not have as much relevance as you state in your letter, but when you say “I had to continue with the version”, it seems to me that the correct thing would be, “I made the decision to continue”».
- «I hope Studio Ghibli sues her for infringement of intellectual property and copyrighted material.».
- «I read the writing of a person who is not repentant, blames those around her and those who spread the false information she provided».
- «She told the lies, but it’s the country’s fault for making it go viral. How great, Geraldine, thank you so much».
- «Recognizing is a good start, I hope you learn the lesson and can work on your personal growth.».
- «She has the criteria and character to begin a life as a good politician, assuming her lie, but holding others responsible, essential values to exercise.».
- «What kind of professional is this girl? What university did she come from? She is a national, no, global shame.».
- «Geraldine recognized her mistake and showed us the kind of “journalists” and media we have in this country, who are just as or worse liars than her, those who wrote the notes are as unprofessional as Geraldine was. The difference? She apologized».
- «Typical of Colombian cheating culture. If they don’t discover her, she doesn’t confess. How many people do the same thing and take away opportunities from honest people who do have merit? And there is no need to have any kind of pity for such a cheater.».
Fountain: @vanedelatorre on Twitter
