Up until May 2000, Björk was a well-known Icelandish rockstar, first with the band Sugarcubes in the mid-80s, and, as of 1993, as a solo performer. Cannes changed everything: the unpredictable choices of Croisette enfant terrible Lars von Trier had put Björk front and center in his musical drama Dancer in the Dark, and the result – including the customary quarrel between critics and festivaliers – was a Palme d’Or for von Trier for Best Film, and a Best Actress award for Björk. She would go on to a stream of accolades, from the Golden Globes – nominated for Best Actress and Best Original Song for “I’ve Seen It All” – and an Oscar nomination. Many red carpet walks and some unique fashion choices followed – the swan dress would become a style icon.

Later Björk would say that the whole experience had been a nightmare, exhausting her physically and emotionally. She swore never to act again.