When the Soviets impose new ways of collective farming and permanent settlements on a region of nomadic dwellers, young Ilyas is separated from his mother, Mariam. Through decades of war, mother and son persevere in their efforts to be reunited.

This film is a gratitude to the Kazakh Koreans, Germans, Turks, Chechens, Kurds and other peoples of this land and the Kazakh people, who met them with due attention and sympathy, despite their incredible difficulties after the jute of the 30s. For these peoples, our country has become a real Homeland.

Tanabay is a proud Kazakh war hero and loyal Communist who is pressured into taking a position as a herdsman in a collective farm in the Stalinist era after WWII. The pride and joy of the collective is a beautiful stallion named Gulsary. After Gulsary wins a race, the new commissar of the collective lays claim to the beloved and headstrong horse, which leads to a battle of a wills. Tanabay and Gulsary are both punished and separated for their refusal to bend to the rules of the Stalinist era.

The film "Birzhan Sal" tells about the dramatic life story of the legendary folk singer and composer Birzhan Kozhagulov.