In the movie “Under the Skin,” Scarlett Johansson portrayed an extraterrestrial being in 2013. During the 2013 Venice International Film Festival, Johansson was deeply moved by the reaction of the viewers to her film. As the festival commences once again this year, its artistic director, Alberto Barbera, reminisced about some remarkable events from the past in an interview with The Guardian. Barbera referred to Johansson’s reaction ten years ago when she was almost reduced to tears after receiving jeering from the audience as they watched “Under the Skin.”
According to Barbera, the screening of Under the Skin was one of the most disappointing ones he had ever seen. The audience was so displeased that they even booed the movie, causing Scarlett Johansson to almost shed tears. However, Barbera tried to console her by saying that the film would eventually gain recognition, and his prediction came true as it became a cult classic. Jonathan Glazer directed the film, which featured Johansson playing an alien trying to blend in with humans while preying on men in Glasgow. The movie included some unscripted scenes where Johansson improvised with unsuspecting people, all of which were captured with a hidden camera.
In 2014, during an interview with The Guardian, Scarlett Johansson shared her experience of being booed by a live audience after the screening of her movie. The actress described the moment as “very strange” and admitted feeling super-exposed as she watched the film for the first time with an audience. As the film ended, there was a mix of cheers and boos from the crowd, leaving Johansson unsure of how to react. She went on to say that the experience left her shocked and somewhat disturbed.
As I glanced towards Jonathan, his face was beaming with joy and excitement, said the speaker. Once we exited the theater, I expressed my confusion about the situation while Jonathan couldn’t contain his enthusiasm, exclaiming it was the best reaction he had ever heard in his entire life.
Scarlett Johansson shared with Harper’s Bazaar UK how the audience reacted to her movie during the Venice Film Festival, where people had mixed emotions and reactions. However, she appreciated that people were engaged in the film and felt that it was the point. From an audience member’s perspective, Johansson wants to have a lasting experience with a film, regardless of whether the experience is positive or negative. She further explained that her experimental movie presented a personal journey that made it challenging for her to identify its themes. Nonetheless, she appreciated that the movie left her paralyzed with fear.