If you learned how to type in the late ’80s or ’90s, chances are you were taught by Mavis Beacon. Who’s that? She’s the professional Black woman on the cover of the Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing software application. But where is she now? Is she a real person and if so, what’s she been doing? These are just some of the questions asked in the Sundance-favorite doc, Seeking Mavis Beacon, which NEON will release later this month.
Director Jazmin Jones and associate producer Olivia Ross lead an investigation into the truth about Mavis Beacon. Who is she? And how did a Black woman become the most recognizable face in computer technology and instruction?
This might seem like an odd subject to do a documentary on, but the reality is Mavis Beacon has been an obsession for a lot of people over the years, and that could explain why this film has been such an audience favorite. Many people believe Mavis Beacon was an actual teacher and have false memories of attending classes led by her.
SYNOPSIS: The most recognizable woman in technology lives in our collective imagination. Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing taught millions globally, but the software’s Haitian-born cover model vanished decades ago. Two DIY detectives search for the model while posing questions about identity and artificial intelligence.
NEON will release Seeking Mavis Beacon into theaters on August 30th.
