California Schemin’

In the early 2000s, two best friends from the Scottish town of Dundee dream of a hip-hop career, but the music industry is ruthless. No one takes them seriously with their heavy accents, and when a record executive in London turns them away, Gavin and Billy decide to do something radical. They adopt a new identity: a hip-hop duo from sunny California, including stories of wild parties and a convincing American accent. To their own astonishment, they score a record deal and make it to the MTV stage, but behind the scenes, their close friendship threatens to buckle under the weight of their lie. Funny and exhilarating, California Schemin’ tells the true story of rap duo Silibil N’ Brains and their three-year-long deception, all the while being critical of the dark side of fame.

California Schemin’ is based on Gavin Bain's 2010 memoir of the same name. It marks the directorial debut of Scottish actor James McAvoy, known for blockbusters such as Atonement (2007) and Split (2016), and premiered last year at the Toronto International Film Festival. The screening at the Noordelijk Film Festival is its Frisian premiere.