Queen of the Gypsies: a Portrait of Carmen Amaya.

75 minutes, First Run Features, Gypsy Heart Productions; $45.99, $195 for institutions

CARMEN AMAYA, the legendary hurricane of a drawer in the flamenco tradition, is the subject of this superb documentary. The film follows her from being a child dancing on the streets of Barcelona to being a star attraction at Carnegie Hall, where people threw flowers and mink coats at her.

Growing up in a settlement of shacks, Amaya picked up Gypsy music and dance from her father and other relatives. While still a child, she became known for her dining dancing and command of flamenco rhythms. As a 23-year-old, she starred in Spanish-made as well as Hollywood movies. She caused a stir wherever she danced. The video also shows the underside of her life. In one of the many touching moments, Amaya confesses that she felt badly that her singing didn't live up to her father's expectations.

Every excerpt of her dancing sets the screen ablaze with her fury, a white-hot defiance similar to that of a bullfighter (and she sometimes dressed like one). She adapted the fast, percussive footwork of male dancers as her own, and the usual feminine lilting of the hips turned boldly vigorous on her body. Her dead stops after whipping turns could take your breath away. She appeared indomitable, inspiring the conductor Toscanini to call her "terrifying and wonderful."

But Amaya was so exhausted from her take-no-prisoners style that she would sometimes throw up after her performances. Sustaining a grueling touring schedule, she burnt herself out: in 1963, at the age of 50, she died of a kidney ailment. Thousands of people attended her funeral.

Queen of the Gypsies, produced and directed by Jocelyn Ajami, captures her astounding dancing, her difficult life, and the awe she left in her wake. English, Spanish, and French with subtitles. See www.gypsyheartproductions.com; or call 617.266.0190.