Clare Bowen as “Sydney”

Clare studied a Bachelor of Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong. While at university Clare performed in numerous theatre productions.

She was tracked down by director David Field for the role of Sydney after auditions could not deliver the right actress for the role. Clare had been a student in David’s acting class in 2006 and had left quite an impression.

“I remember David from my uni class, and how excited I was to have such an accomplished actor in the same room as me. Then I got a call from him asking me to audition for the role and I was just shocked to be honest,” she said.
The Combination is her first feature film

Clare lives on the south coast of NSW but says she has been exposed to a fair share of racism. “I've seen some terrible things done to people just because they look a certain way or believe a certain thing. I am very glad to have parents who brought me up in a very multicultural setting and gave me an early understanding of the beauty that lies therein.”  

Clare had limited interaction with the Lebanese community in Australia before this film, she explains, “The three kisses you get at the front door say a lot about this very warm, noble culture. I spent a lot of time with the Basha family and their friends, and was taken in and looked after like part of the family. I was very lucky to be invited into their homes, and I've made a lot of great friends through the experience.”

She is currently shooting an Australian thriller feature called The Clinic.