Ómar Robert Hamilton is an award-winning writer and filmmaker, currently residing in New York, United States and Cairo, Egypt. He has contributed to several literary magazines, including The Guardian, Mada Masr, Guernica, and The London Book Reviews. Hamilton is well-known for his debut novel, "The City Always Wins," which revolves around the activist media collective members who document the aftermath of the Egyptian uprising.
Initially pursuing a career in filmmaking in Washington, Hamilton's life took a significant turn when the Egyptian revolution began in 2011. Driven by a sense of historical importance, he decided to abandon his filmmaking career and return to his homeland, Cairo. Within four days of his arrival, Hamilton joined the protests against then-president Hosni Mubarak, which eventually led to the death of around 900 people and injured approximately 6,000. This pivotal moment in Egyptian history became the foundation for his powerful debut novel.
"The City Always Wins" begins 9 months after the Egyptian revolution, set in a morgue. Hamilton introduces the main characters, Khalil and Mariam. Mariam, an activist, is depicted trying to assist the relatives of the murdered protestors. The morgue's corridors become filled with numerous dead bodies, and Mariam loses count of the casualties. The novel portrays an environment of collective grief and anger, as people mourn the loss of their loved ones and struggle to cope with the ongoing consequences of the revolution.
In addition to his writing career, Hamilton is a co-founder of the Palestine Literature Festival and the Mosireen media collective in Cairo, which was established in 2011. He has also written for various prestigious publications such as The Guardian, The London Review of Books, and Guernica. "The City Always Wins" is Hamilton's debut novel, further solidifying his reputation as a talented writer and filmmaker.