BRITISH AND IRISH FILM FESTIVAL
California Schemin’
After their Scottish accents derail dreams of rap stardom, lifelong friends Gavin and Billy reinvent themselves as swaggering Californian MCs. Their outrageous deception opens unexpected doors—but fame, pressure and mounting lies soon threaten the friendship beneath the performance.
Director
James McAvoy (Directorial Debut)
CAST
Samuel Bottomley • Séamus McLean Ross • James McAvoy • Lucy Halliday • Rebekah Murrell
RATING
RUNTIME
1h 47m
COUNTRY
United Kingdom
GENRE
Biography, Comedy, Drama, Music
LANGUAGE
English
WATCH TRAILER
FILM NOTES
A riotous true story of borrowed accents, reckless ambition and friendship tested by fame.
Inspired by Gavin Bain’s memoir and the astonishing story of Scottish rap duo Silibil N’ Brains, California Schemin’ follows two friends from Dundee who fooled the music industry by posing as established Californian performers. Elaborate histories, adopted accents and determined self-belief carry them from humiliating rejection towards record deals and celebrity attention.
James McAvoy makes an assured directorial debut, balancing fast-paced comedy with a poignant exploration of identity, class and creative ambition. Samuel Bottomley and Séamus McLean Ross bring infectious energy to the aspiring musicians, capturing both their audacity and deep friendship. Driven by a lively soundtrack, this spirited crowd-pleaser asks what success means when recognition depends upon pretending to be someone else.
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