Rap has always been obsessed with authenticity: where you’re from, what you’ve lived through, and whether your story is real. But the strange true story behind California Schemin’ raises a question the music industry rarely wants to answer: what happens when the lie sounds better than the truth?

The film tells the story of two young men from Dundee who dreamt of becoming rap stars. But in the early 2000s, they believed the industry wasn’t taking them seriously. After travelling to London for an audition that they felt was prejudiced because of their Scottish accents, they came up with a plan to pass themselves off as rappers from California. Complete with accent and attitude.

In a remarkable directorial debut, BAFTA winner James McAvoy brings the story to life with confidence and flair, drawing excellent performances from his two leads — Samuel Bottomley as Billy Boyd and Séamus McLean Ross as Gavin Bain — whose electric, wholehearted portrayals anchor every scene. The film had its UK premiere at the 22nd annual Glasgow Film Festival.

The story is brilliantly written by Archie Thomson and Elaine Gracie and James McAvoy balances the drama, comedy and excitement, with an expertise that makes you hope he will make more time for being behind the camera in the future. Having said that he is a tour de force onscreen. It is a great compliment to the young actors that despite sharing the screen with him, held their own and were not overshadowed.

In the end we have comedy with a wide appeal with drama at its heart, lead by two cracking actors, a great support cast and a stunning directorial debut. A must-see recommendation.

California Schemin’ marks a notable moment for Scottish cinema, produced by Patriot Productions, Home Front Pictures and Blazing Griffin, with backing from the National Lottery through Screen Scotland’s Film Development and Production Fund.