Synopsis
Filmmaker Jazmin Jones and her collaborator, Olivia McKayla Ross, search for the real-life woman who served as the face of Mavis Beacon, the fictional instructor in the widely used typing software Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing . [6]
The documentary begins by outlining the history of the software, which was first released in 1987 by The Software Toolworks. The filmmakers explore how Mavis Beacon became an iconic figure despite not being a real person. Through interviews with former employees and industry experts, they confirm that the character was portrayed by Renée L'Espérance, a Haitian-born model [7] who was photographed for the software’s cover but never credited or compensated beyond an initial payment.
Jones and Ross attempt to locate L'Espérance, traveling to various locations and speaking with individuals who may have known her. They uncover that she chose to disappear from public life after the software’s success. Their search leads to archival footage and documents, but L'Espérance ultimately declines to participate in the documentary.
As their investigation concludes, the filmmakers acknowledge the limits of their search, recognizing that L'Espérance’s absence remains a key part of the story. The documentary ends with reflections on Mavis Beacon’s cultural impact, while leaving L'Espérance’s fate unresolved.
The documentary was inspired by Cheryl Dunye's The Watermelon Woman, and Dunye moderated a panel following a screening of the film in Oakland. [8]
Release
The film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in the NEXT category. [10] The film was released by Neon on August 30, 2024.
Critical reception
Initial reception was generally positive. [7] [11] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 75% of 44 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.2/10.The website's consensus reads: "Director Jazmin Jones' exploration of one of the internet's strangest cases occasionally lapses into self-indulgence, but the personalized approach ultimately yields a one-of-a-kind documentary experience." [12] Metacritic calculated a weighted average of 72 out of 100 based on 12 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [13]
Murtada Elfadl of Variety wrote that the "format-defying" documentary was "affecting and haunting," [14] noting that the filmmaker explores "a range of philosophical and sociological considerations, from the notion of 'coded bias' to how they personally use technology to communicate and find community." [14]
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