The Kitchen Sisters Present The Keepers—With Host Frances McDormand
Dec 2, 2025
Frances McDormand hosts a lively discussion with notable guests. David Ferriero, the U.S. Archivist, emphasizes the vital role archives play in democracy and shares quirky tales from preservation. Nancy Pearl, a literacy advocate, talks about her unique journey to becoming an action figure and her community project promoting reading. Susan Rogers, a recording engineer for Prince, describes her work organizing the musician's extensive vault. Together, they highlight the significance of keeping culture accessible and alive.
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Bathtub Archives Sparked A Film Revolution
- Henri Langlois started the Cinémathèque in his parents' bathtub by hoarding nitrate film cans to save silent cinema from destruction.
- His secret screenings during the Nazi occupation and chaotic archive practices spawned the French New Wave and fierce protests when he was briefly fired.
Archives Are For Public Access
- David Ferriero emphasizes that archives exist for access, not ownership, as a foundation of democracy.
- He insists keeping records enables public accountability and preserves truths that affect present legal and civic life.
From Librarian To Action Figure And Community Builder
- Nancy Pearl became the model for a librarian action figure with a shushing arm and credits her childhood librarian for steering her toward diverse books.
- She created If All Seattle Read The Same Book, showing how shared reading can bridge divided communities, even post-conflict Bosnia.