Actress Scarlett Johansson poses for photographers during the photo call for the film “Under The Skin” at the 70th edition of the Venice Film Festival held from Aug. 28 through Sept. 7, in Venice, Italy, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013. (Photo credit: AP photo by Andrew Medichini)

By PATRICIA THOMAS
The Associated Press

VENICE, Italy (AP) — Fans of Scarlet Johansson waited for hours under a hot sun for the Hollywood actress to arrive in a water taxi for a news conference at the Venice Film Festival, and she rewarded them with a smile and autographs.

Johansson was in Venice on Tuesday for the premiere “Under the Skin” directed by Jonathan Glazer.

In the film, Johansson plays a sexy alien on a road-trip through Scotland, seducing and destroying men along her route. Over the course of her journey she begins to gain some sensitivity and human emotion.

Johansson said that to be an alien she had to abandon “these very human instincts that we have, protecting ourselves and wanting to protect one another.”

“Under the Skin” is among 20 films competing for the coveted Golden Lion award.