he spent months trapped inside his own body, his mind unreachable. With the fierce devotion of his family and new technology that let him write with his eyes alone, James defied the odds and reignited his creative fire. A Man Comes Down is a gripping portrait of survival, creativity, and the relentless force of human will.
Directed by
Stan Okumura is a documentary filmmaker whose work explores human perseverance and the power of creativity in the face of profound obstacles. His latest film, A Man Comes Down, tells the story of resilience through constraint, and how new technology can unlock possibilities for all abilities.
His previous films include Photographing the Galuh, a documentary about mental health in Indonesia executive produced by Spike Lee, and Family Thais, a culinary journey spanning two generations of Thai heritage.
Stan is also the co-founder of Direct Message, a creative studio focused on human-centered storytelling across experiential, print, and digital. Earlier in his career, he worked in political and social justice media, filming with President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, over a dozen U.S. Senators, and figures such as Morgan Freeman, Mary J. Blige, and Constance Wu.
He lives in Sacramento, California, with his wife and two children. Outside of filmmaking, Stan is an avid cyclist, runner, and reader.