SUBMITTED BY katystarlet

August 2, 2001 — TORONTO -- The Steve Martin-starring dark comedy "Novocaine" will receive its world premiere as a Gala selection at the Toronto International Film Festival, organizers said Tuesday. The fest also unveiled nine titles to unspool in its Special Presentations sidebar. Devoted to established directors, the section will include world premieres for Mike Figgis, John Dahl and Gregor Jordan. Artisan Entertainment's "Novocaine," to bow on the opening weekend of the Toronto festival, which runs Sept. 6-15, marks the directorial debut for writer David Atkins and a departure for Martin. The actor plays a dentist happily engaged to his hygienist (Laura Dern) but suddenly undone by an alluring new patient (Helena Bonham Carter). Also slated for Toronto are world premieres for Dahl's "Joy Ride" starring Leelee Sobieski and Steve Zahn, Bruce McDonald's "Picturing Claire" and French director Yvan Attal's "Ma femme est une actrice" starring Attal, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Terence Stamp.