Seeking Mavis Beacon is a hybrid documentary that blends myth and memory to uncover the truth behind an unsung hero in Black history: Mavis Beacon. Against the fluorescent industrial landscape of West Oakland, we follow “e-girl detectives” Jazmin (Director) and Olivia (Associate Producer) as they search for Renee L’esperance—the Haitian woman who modeled as the in-game typing instructor in 1987.
The software sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, making Mavis Beacon a household name for millennials. However, no one ever heard from Renee on the record, who was paid only $500 for her image. Determined to preserve a piece of tech history and recenter Renee’s voice, Jazmin and Olivia use unconventional investigative methods while searching online and across the country. The quest drives the narrative in this neon-noir, which integrates interviews and archival internet videos with the duo’s journey. As they come of age and closer to uncovering the truth, Olivia and Jazmin are forced to figure out the limitations of their morality.
Click here to watch the trailer.
Seeking Mavis Beacon opens in theaters Sept. 13, 2024.
