{"id":2126,"date":"2026-04-06T03:13:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T03:13:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bfashow.dmd.uconn.edu\/2026\/?p=2126"},"modified":"2026-04-07T19:40:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T19:40:10","slug":"running-against-the-odds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bfashow.dmd.uconn.edu\/2026\/running-against-the-odds\/","title":{"rendered":"Running Against the Odds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio uagb-block-vtch0jvd alignwide uagb-is-root-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-info-box uagb-block-7gzwqvxn uagb-infobox__content-wrap  uagb-infobox-icon-above-title uagb-infobox-image-valign-top\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-content\"><div class=\"uagb-ifb-title-wrap\"><p class=\"uagb-ifb-title-prefix\">Short Documentary<\/p><h1 class=\"uagb-ifb-title\">Running Against The Odds<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Running Against the Odds - Trailer - Connor Denecour\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1180918725?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio uagb-block-5d14a065 alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div data-aos= \"fade-right\" data-aos-duration=\"400\" data-aos-delay=\"0\" data-aos-easing=\"ease\" data-aos-once=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-4b65b89d\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e0082cf6 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-26e8081a\"><h2 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Connor Denecour<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-03f5dcbb\"><h3 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Colchester, CT<\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-8ae5a0fe\"><h3 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Advisor: <strong><strong>Cathrine Masud&nbsp;<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-6f5037cc\"><h4 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Artist Bio<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">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.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">His senior thesis film, <em>Running Against the Odds<\/em>, tells the story of Ellison \u201cTarzan\u201d 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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-aos= \"fade-left\" data-aos-duration=\"400\" data-aos-delay=\"0\" data-aos-easing=\"ease\" data-aos-once=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-787c2033\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-33d869bf wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none\"><figure class=\"wp-block-uagb-image__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bfashow.dmd.uconn.edu\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/03\/Connor-Denecour-Headshot-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"uag-image-1562\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" title=\"Connor Denecour Headshot\" loading=\"lazy\" role=\"img\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio uagb-block-f6f9c3e4 alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-899e302d\"><h4 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Artist Statement<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0\">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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0\">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\u2019t enough material or narrative depth to support a full film.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0\">When I later connected with Tarzan Brown\u2019s 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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0\">Four years later, I am proud to help bring Tarzan Brown\u2019s 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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-slider wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio uagb-block-f263f817 uagb-slider-container\"><div class=\"uagb-slides uagb-swiper\"><div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-slider-child uagb-slider-child-wrap swiper-slide uagb-block-ade93ac2\"><div class=\"swiper-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-cdc44df8 alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-d5bb1180 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none\"><figure class=\"wp-block-uagb-image__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bfashow.dmd.uconn.edu\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Still-1-1024x580.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"uag-image-2136\" width=\"1024\" height=\"580\" title=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" role=\"presentation\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-slider-child uagb-slider-child-wrap swiper-slide uagb-block-8355035d\"><div class=\"swiper-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-02af7eaa alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-01ebb901 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none\"><figure class=\"wp-block-uagb-image__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bfashow.dmd.uconn.edu\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Still-2-1024x552.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"uag-image-2134\" width=\"1024\" height=\"552\" title=\"Still 2\" loading=\"lazy\" role=\"img\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-slider-child uagb-slider-child-wrap swiper-slide uagb-block-bb90d1b8\"><div class=\"swiper-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-91d3ad2e alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-image uagb-block-7d3c3272 wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default wp-block-uagb-image--effect-static wp-block-uagb-image--align-none\"><figure class=\"wp-block-uagb-image__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bfashow.dmd.uconn.edu\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Still-3-1024x590.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"uag-image-2135\" width=\"1024\" height=\"590\" title=\"Still 3\" loading=\"lazy\" role=\"img\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Connor Denecour Colchester, CT Advisor: Cathrine Masud&nbsp; Artist Bio Connor Denecour is a documentary filmmaker and senior at the University [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":2135,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[225,13],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-connor-denecour","category-digital-film-video-production","tag-connor-denecour","tag-digital-film-video-production"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/bfashow.dmd.uconn.edu\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Still-3.png",1537,885,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/bfashow.dmd.uconn.edu\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Still-3-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/bfashow.dmd.uconn.edu\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Still-3-300x173.png",300,173,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/bfashow.dmd.uconn.edu\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Still-3-768x442.png",768,442,true],"large":["https:\/\/bfashow.dmd.uconn.edu\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Still-3-1024x590.png",1024,590,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/bfashow.dmd.uconn.edu\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Still-3.png",1536,884,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/bfashow.dmd.uconn.edu\/2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Still-3.png",1537,885,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Angela","author_link":"https:\/\/bfashow.dmd.uconn.edu\/2026\/author\/ann19006\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Connor Denecour Colchester, CT Advisor: Cathrine Masud&nbsp; 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