A young girl from Chiclana in the universe of ‘The Hunger Games’

Nieves Rodríguez Rubio, from Chiclana, only 11 years old, could never have imagined that her foray into the film world would be in a Hollywood blockbuster. And this young woman participates in the casting of ‘Harvest Dawn’, the sixth installment of the ‘Hunger Games’ saga, one of the most successful franchises in contemporary cinema and whose premiere is scheduled for the end of 2026.

The filming, and with it all the technical and human deployment that a film of these characteristics entails, moved during the months of July and August of last year to Asturias, to natural locations of great scenic value, such as the Somiedo Natural Park, in addition to urban settings in Oviedo, transforming these enclaves in northern Spain into the stage of Panem. And Nieves arrived there, accompanied by her mother, Nieves Rubio, ready to make her debut as a child stunt double in a major international production.

This good sixth grade student at the CEIP La Barrosa is very clear that this profession has always awakened a special attraction in her. From very early on she dreamed of being an actress, although it never occurred to her that her first contact with a film of this level would come in such an unexpected way.

It all started at the beginning of the summer, she herself says, when she received a call in which she was offered to participate in a film. The initial surprise was such that, at first, he confesses, “I thought it was a joke or some kind of hoax.” However, when the veracity of the proposal was confirmed, the emotion was immediate. She explains that “I didn’t have to go through a conventional casting: I just had to send selfies and some photographs to be selected.” Until then, he had never worked in the cinema, although there was already a small precedent in his family environment, since his brother had participated in advertising campaigns as a model.

However, surprises still awaited him. And it is that He did not know the real dimension of the project until he arrived in Asturias. There they summoned her without knowing exactly what her role would be or the scope of the production. Everything was surrounded by great mystery. And it was, once he landed in Oviedo, when he discovered that he would be part of the team as a double for the actress Alina Reid, who plays Kernaone of the characters in the film.

Her job has consisted of replacing this one – also a minor – in those scenes in which it was not necessary to show her face or when the protagonist reached the limit of filming hours allowed by child labor regulations. Shots from behind, moving scenes or technical sequences that required continuity were some of the situations in which he came into action. A discreet job, but essential for the development of a film.

The atmosphere impressed him from the first day. Dozens of professionals working in a coordinated manner: makeup and hair teams, special effects specialistssound technicians, cameras and countless people moving with millimeter precision. He especially remembers the figure of the director, Francis Lawrence, whom he defines as “nice”, and the feeling of being inside an authentic Hollywood film. He relates that the instructions were given mostly in English, although on many occasions they had translators, which allowed him to adapt without difficulty.

During his stay in the Principality, he made friends with other children who also worked as stuntmen and extras, creating a small group with which he shared both filming moments and free time. He even became friends with Ben Wang, actor the ‘Karate Kid: Legends’, with whom he communicated “using basic English.” He was also able to see some of the protagonists up close, although the contact with them was minimal, something he accepted naturally and without losing his enthusiasm.

Far from what one might think, the young woman assures that He did not have to face particularly difficult scenes. The work was well planned: rehearsed one day and recorded the next, which made everything easier. He highlights how much he liked “the costumes, the natural environment of the stages and the camaraderie that was felt in the team.” For her, every day was a mix of learning and fun.

When filming came to an end, the feeling was bittersweet. On the one hand, the satisfaction of having lived a unique experience; on the other, the pain of saying goodbye to an environment that he had enjoyed intensely. To this day he maintains contact with some of his filming colleagues, mainly through their mothers.

Nieves does not hide her desire to remain linked to this industry. Although he knows that studies are essential, he confesses that He wouldn’t mind if artistic work had more and more weight in his life. His big dream would be to one day participate in ‘Stranger Things’, his favorite series, or at least “to be able to witness the filming up close.” He does not have a specific favorite performer, but he does have a very clear message for other boys and girls who dream of cinema: “Never give up and keep trying.”

Nieves’ story is that of an unexpected opportunity, that of doing his bit in a great cinematographic machinery that, however, has meant an unforgettable experience, “super cool”, for this chiclanera who can already say that she has been part of the universe of ‘The Hunger Games’.