‘Zai’ is a Russian term of endearment, roughly translating to ‘bun’.

In New York City, a young Russian mother and daughter prepare for a ballet recital. Through the variable and at times, gauche relationship between a young mother and daughter, we explore the prescriptive aesthetics of femininity and motherhood. It’s important to note that this film was shot a week before Russia invaded Ukraine and was not made with any political implications in mind.