Full Trailer for ‘Etched in Pavement’ Doc About 2 Young Men in Detroit​

“There’s so much for people to live for. There’s other ways to let out your anger.” Giant Pictures revealed an official trailer for Etched in Pavement, a documentary film from Detroit marking the feature debut of American filmmaker John Sippel. This first premiered at film festivals last year and will be getting a VOD & DVD release coming up in October this fall. In Detroit, where the streets echo with both hardship and hope, two young men turn fighting into a language of survival, purpose and legacy. Set against the backdrop of Southwest Detroit, the film weaves together their journeys as they set out to uplift their worlds in the best way they know how: fighting. With Joe Louis Barrow Jr., Joyce Barrow-Henderson, Michael Futrell, Julio Hernandez, Joe Louis, Ozvaldo Rivera, and Dwane Taylor. This is a movie about boxing, but it’s about much more than that – a look at American life and kids today. The story follows Dwane & Michael as they navigate youth combat sports, boxing, and their grassroots “Guns Down, Gloves Up” movement. 🥊 It’s worth a look.

Here’s the official trailer (+ poster) for John Sippel’s doc Etched in Pavement, direct from YouTube:

In a remote corner of Detroit, where the streets echo with both hardship and hope, two young men turn fighting into a language of survival, purpose and community. Over the course of 4 years immersed in their grassroots “Guns Down, Gloves Up” movement, this intimate cinematic portrait of resilience confronts the complexities of violence, fatherhood, and legacy. Etched in Pavement is directed by American filmmaker John Sippel, making his feature directorial debut with this film. Produced by John Sippel, Jesse Ford, Zo Olabi, Drake Harthun, and Travis Yarrington. A Flyoff Production, in association with Working Class Film Co & WTP Pictures. This initially 2025 Woods Hole Film Festival last year. Giant Pictures will release John Sippel’s Etched in Pavement doc direct-to-VOD starting on October 13th, 2026 this fall. Want to watch?

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