Born to Jewish parents in Kežmarok, Czechoslovakia in September 1934, Herz became one of the most respected Czechoslovak film directors. He was also an actor, scenic designer and a tv director.

Mr Herz, who is a holocaust survivor, made his directorial debut with drama film The Cremator /Spalovač mrtvol/ – a 1969 Czechoslovakian New Wave horror comedy based on a novel by Ladislav Fuks. The Cremator is often considered to be one of the best movies ever made in Czechoslovakia.

In 1971 he also left his mark on the Czechoslovak cinematography scene with a drama film Oil Lamps /Petrolejové lampy/. The movie, which was directed by Mr Herz, was entered into the 1972 Cannes Film Festival.

His 1976 drama film Day for My Love /Den pro mou lásku/ was also entered into the 27th Berlin International Film Festival.

Slovak actor Andrej Hryc was the first to inform about Mr Herz’s death and paid tribute to him on social media.