Short Documentary

Running Against The Odds

Connor Denecour

Colchester, CT

Advisor: Cathrine Masud

Artist Bio

Connor Denecour is a documentary filmmaker and senior at the University of Connecticut, studying Digital Media and Design with a focus on film production. His work centers on underrepresented histories and community voices, blending archival research with personal storytelling. He has experience conducting sensitive interviews and working with historical material, including a recent project documenting the stories of Bosnian genocide survivors an experience that deepened his commitment to approaching subjects with care, respect, and a responsibility to honor lived experience.

His senior thesis film, Running Against the Odds, tells the story of Ellison “Tarzan” Brown, a Narragansett Indigenous runner who competed during the Great Depression. Despite economic hardship and unfavorable press coverage, Brown continued to run until his death, demonstrating extraordinary heart, resilience, and dedication to the sport he loved.

Artist Statement

As a filmmaker, my work is driven by a commitment to elevating underrepresented groups and illuminating stories that have long gone untold. I am particularly passionate about capturing narratives through an Indigenous lens, focusing on the voices, histories, and perspectives that are too often overlooked. Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to crafting films that honor cultural identity, resilience, and community, shaping projects that strive to broaden understanding and spark meaningful dialogue. The stories rooted in Indigenous experience carry profound depth and significance, and moving forward, I aim to bring these narratives to even wider audiences, expanding the reach and impact of the communities I represent.

Growing up in eastern Connecticut, the story of Tarzan Brown was everywhere. His legacy felt woven into the local landscape. But once I left Eastern Connecticut, I realized how little his name was known beyond the region. I originally planned to tell his story for my senior capstone project, but I was discouraged from pursuing it after being told there wasn’t enough material or narrative depth to support a full film.

When I later connected with Tarzan Brown’s grandchildren, I shared that experience with them. Their response was immediate and they were determined to prove that assessment wrong. With their support and the stories they entrusted me with, this project became possible.

Four years later, I am proud to help bring Tarzan Brown’s story to a broader audience. This film honors his dedication to the sport of running, the barriers he overcame, and the legacy he deserves to have recognized far beyond the place where I first learned his name.