Branson, Missouri, population 10,520, might be considered a sleepy little Ozark town if it weren’t for the 7.5 million tourists a year who make the trip to this self-described buckle of the Bible Belt for family-friendly entertainment. Ozark hospitality, God, and family define the entertainment, and tourism defines the local economy. Branson, “the live music capital of the universe” has fifty music theaters offering over a hundred shows, which along with other attractions, bring in an estimated $2.9 billion each year. Directors AJ Schnack and David Wilson cleverly borrow their title from the work of famous folklorist Vance Randolph, and as the title implies, the film works to uncover the divide between what’s in front of the curtain and what’s behind it, focusing on four performing families deeply rooted in the community. What we witness are compelling testimonies of the American Dream, both realized and unmet, and stories of lives that are not always entirely in sync with the conservative values promoted on stage.  WFM