Saw a re-run of this recently, followed by a Vinterberg interview, explaining some of the tough points to grasp: Sean Penn represents the detached modern human being who has given up earthly matters (like love) to be forever on the move. He is Modern Man: insightful, charming, reflective. always moving - but has lost his grounding. The Ugandans? Vinterberg is disgusted with modern man's ability to disregard the suffering of others (witness also the dead bodies that everyone just steps right over): The disconnection is so complete that, for all we know, all the poor Africans might as well be - yes, exactly, flying.