Actor-turned-director Yoo Ji Tae won important award in France.

The actor's first feature movie “Mai Ratima” won the Panel Award at the15th Deauville Asian Film Festival in France.

“Mai Ratima” is a movie about a Thai woman named Mai Ratima (Park Ji Soo), who in order to help support her family, gets sold to a South Korean husband. Once she get to South Korea, her husband doesn’t respect her, her mother-in-law humiliates her, and her brother in law, sexually abuses her.

Once her visa expires, she is caught in the deal of deportation, however a man (Bae Soo bin ), who can't even afford food helps her and they start an affair and escape to Seoul. Once there, that man gets into problems with another woman.

The festival that took place from 6th to march 10th, featured over 20 unreleased films from countries like China, South Korea, Iran, India, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, and more. The grand winner of the festival was Indian movie “I.D” directed by Kamal K.M.

About his win, Yoo Ji Tae said, “I am happy to be here, and I am honored to have my film being presented here.”

The film was even praised by Jérôme Clément, the Deauville’s jury president. He said it was unbelievable that this was the actor's first feature movie, and that he hopes the drama is shown in many places.

"Mai Ratima" will premiere in South Korea in May.