1925. Soviet power arrives in the remote Karakalpak villages. During this time, the dzhigit Turumbet and the beautiful Jumagul fall in love with each other. However, after the wedding, the young wife leaves her husband’s home, unwilling to accept the Old Testament way of life of her husband's family. Turumbet, who participates in bandit raids, does not immediately understand the revolutionary changes taking place.

The Russian Descendant of the Snow Leopard is based on a famous Kirghizian folktale. Apparently the Kirghizian folks had plenty of time to tell this story: to print a full synopsis would result in a novelette. Essentially, the story involves a proud group of highland hunters called the Snow Leopards, who in order to survive a brutal winter must request help from the Lowland people. The price for this assistance is the hand of the Snow Leopard's daughter, who is promised in marriage to a wealthy Lowland trader. During the Springtime wedding celebration, the trader becomes fascinated by a stranger who wins all the athletic contests. This "male" contestant turns out to be a woman, who has arrived to seek freedom for her imprisoned husband. The subsequent romance between the trader and the beautiful stranger results in disaster and bloodshed for both the Snow Leopards and the Lowlanders.