It seems like little people are fighting to survive against nature's intimidating powers in an inhospitable environment – all the four elements are present throughout - yet it really is all calculated and under control, and they are merely doing their jobs, using the elements to produce stuff for the good of other people; possibly tin soldiers for the children to play with.
In the beginning we see magnificent, fast-moving clouds - clouds that may be inhabited by gods controlling and watching the human tragedy down on earth - which then turn out to actually be fumes from the steal factory; clearly it's the people who are the gods in this film.
