I feel exactly the way you do about Freedom. It feels "real" and breaks my heart all the more for it but is hopeful and life affirming and just the most amazing story ever.

In case some folks don't know, there is a sequel with Rodney 15 years later and I love it to death as well: and the band's playing "hail to the chief" (http://www.kekkai.org/synecdochic/sga/and_the_bands_playing.html)