David “Doc” Rowe has spent decades documenting Britain’s vibrant folk traditions. Now, with time running short, he faces a race to preserve his legacy.

Rowe has devoted his life to documenting customs, songs and celebrations that few others thought worthy of attention, building an extraordinary archive along the way. As personal challenges mount and the collection’s future grows uncertain, the urgency of his mission sharpens. With remarkable access, we get close to Rowe as he pushes forward, idiosyncratic and unflappable, navigating the fragile line between preserving memory and letting go. The Archivist is a story about one person’s determination to celebrate the living traditions that connect us to where we come from and who we are, whatever the cost.