primogeniture

His films extensively explore aristocratic family hierarchies and the weight of inheritance, particularly in works like 'The Leopard' and 'Conversation Piece' where primogeniture structures shape character destinies.

Through multigenerational narratives in films like 'A Time to Live, A Time to Die,' he examines how familial succession and inherited trauma perpetuate across lineages.

His films frequently depict sons grappling with paternal legacies and family expectations, most notably in 'The 400 Blows' and 'Jules and Jim,' exploring how inheritance shapes identity.