Triumph of a Heart (2005)

Music Artist: Björk

Synopsis: The official video for Björk’s single Triumph of a Heart finds her partying in a pub while her lover, who is a cat, waits at home.

Featured Feline: The video costars an Abyssinian cat as Björk’s significant other. At the beginning the cat is lying in bed with her.

Triumph of a Heart - Björk - Abyssinian cat Litsen sitting in bed with Björk

Björk is upset as her feline mate doesn’t seem very interested in her. She leaves the house as he stands at the door in his t-shirt and pants.

Triumph of a Heart - Björk - Abyssinian cat Litsen sitting in bed wearing t-shirt
Triumph of a Heart - Björk - Abyssinian cat Litsen at door wearing t-shirt and jeans

While she is partying all night at the club, the cat watches TV and eventually falls asleep.

Triumph of a Heart - Björk - Abyssinian cat Litsen sitting on couch watching TV
Triumph of a Heart - Björk - Abyssinian cat Litsen asleep on couch

The next morning the cat partner is sitting at the table reading the paper when he sees hearts floating in the air, indicating his girlfriend is heading home.

Triumph of a Heart - Björk - Abyssinian cat Litsen sitting at table wearing blue suit
Triumph of a Heart - Björk - close up of Abyssinian cat Litsen in suit

The cat drives out to pick up Björk.

Triumph of a Heart - Björk - Abyssinian cat Litsen sitting in suit in front seat of car

At home the cat throws the keys onto a table.

Triumph of a Heart - Björk - Abyssinian cat Litsen throwing keys onto table

The cat and Björk make up and then for some reason the cat grows to human size and the two dance together.

Triumph of a Heart - Björk - Abyssinian cat Litsen kissing Björk
Triumph of a Heart - Björk - Abyssinian cat Litsen in suit smiling
Triumph of a Heart - Björk - Abyssinian cat Litsen in suit dancing with Björk

In a special film showing the making of the music video, the cat actor can be seen in front of a green screen being held up by a person in a green body suit.

Triumph of a Heart - Björk - Behind the scene shot of Abyssinian cat Litsen in suit being held by person in green screen suit

The casting director Ragnheiður Gestsdóttir explained the casting of the cat. Three cats named Wittgenstein, Dorita and Litsen were brought in by cat trainer Gunnlaug Thorvaldsdottir for the shoot. Ragnheiður went on to explain that Dorita was just not right for the part. Wittgenstein looked promising until they got him into the tiny suit and then he went crazy. So Litsen ended up being their star. The making of video shows several moments of Litsen being posed and positioned in costume.

Triumph of a Heart - Björk - Behind the scene shot of Abyssinian cat Litsen in suit being held by person in green screen suit

The video was directed by none other than the prolific Spike Jonze.

Triumph of a Heart - Björk - Abyssinian cat Litsen in suit reaching to camera

It should be noted that the shot of the cat at the table has become a populer online meme known as the ‘I Should Buy A….’.

Triumph of a Heart - Björk - Abyssinian cat Litsen in suit at table from I Should Buy a Meme

Final Mewsings: If only dating cats were legal.

Relevant Links:

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