An undocumented immigrant in Manhattan attempts to make some quick cash when her friend invites her to get paid to beautify a party.

Drawn out as it follows her throughout the day, her multiple jobs, her landlord's threats, and one ice cream shopping trip not to be forgotten we spend more time getting her to the party than there. The anxiety builds throughout, because isn't just about the party so much as the circumstances that make the desperate decisions made there by all the women involved completely understandable.

The intimacy of the view of this woman's life is the best part of the film. People going for a straight horror/thriller film (as this was labeled when I watched it) are probably going to be a bit put off, but there is certainly the more mundane type of horror in abundance.

Can't say I loved the film (the ending feels a bit out of place and hokey in comparison to the lead-up), but given that this is Ana Asensio's first writer and director credits I have to say I am deeply impressed. This is a director that I'm going to keep an eye out for in the future.

Take a bow, Ana Asensio. The Writer-Director-Actor of 'Most Beautiful Island', a film that's likely to surprise and shake you way more than you could imagine. This dazzler is a strong film, that shuns "The Great American Dream' with ferocity.

'Most Beautiful Island' Synopsis: An illegal immigrant (Ana Asensio) struggling to begin a new life in New York City is offered a great opportunity, but as day turns to night, she discovers she's been lured into a dangerous game.

'Most Beautiful Island' follows a woman's struggle in the big apple. She babysits children to survive, sells fried chicken dressed up as a chicken to lure NYC's ruthlessly busy crowd. However, things get worse when she volunteers to attend a 'party'. What happens at this 'party' is something to be witnessed and experienced. The only way I could describe the film's final act would be in one word: Spellbinding.

Asensio's Screenplay shows struggle & desperation with excellence. You feel for Luciana, the protagonist, as she hustles & bustles the madness of America's most ambitious city. Asensio's Writing depicts the ugliest side of "The Great American Dream". Asensio's Direction is powerful, too. She has handled this intense story, with command. Cinematography & Editing, merit a special mention.

Performance-Wise: Its Asensio all the way. The actress delivers a knockout performance from start to end. She takes to the part like a fish takes to water. Its a fully committed, fleshed out performance from an actress we had no clue was all set to surprise us. The rest of the cast lends remarkable support.

On the whole, 'Most Beautiful Island' is among the year's strongest films. Don't miss it.

If you want a fun or pleasant film, then please for the love of God do NOT watch this film. Likewise, if you are severely phobic about spiders, for the love of God do NOT watch this film. You can't say I didn't warn you.

The film is about Luciana, an illegal alien from Spain who is living in New York City. Because she has no social security number or i.d., she is forced to work crappy jobs for cash under the table. But in the process, she makes herself frazzled and is miserable...and something needs to give. The chance to make A LOT of money presents itself when her 'friend', Olga, tells her about a party where she can make a couple thousand dollars in one night. How?! Well, Olga assures Luciana everything will be fine...just show up at the place and she'll be happy with the result. As for Olga's promise, well, she's a total liar...and what awaits Luciana is pretty much what you see in "13 Tzameti"....and it's really painful to watch. So my advice is if you don't mind seeing horrible human cruelty, giant spiders and copious nudity, it might be a good bet to see this one. As for me, I found it oppressive...well made but oppressive.